Indian Internet Users to Reach 100 Million

02/13/2003

The Internet comes to the subcontinent and in in a big way. By 2007, there could be 100 million Internet users in India.

According to IAMAI the number of Internet users in India reached 38.5 million at the end of 2005. That's up 54% in the last year.

The IAMAI figure show that while male Indian online users increased in absolute numbers, they fell from 72% of the online population in 2004-05 to 68% in 2005-06. So of course the proportion of women Indian online users grew from 28% in 2004-05 to 32% in 2005-06; reaching 12.3 million.

IAMAI estimates that the male / female ratio in the next two years will be closer to 60:40, but in absolute numbers men will still exceed women online.

Nevertheless, the increase in the number of women online in India is still impressive. Looking at a profile of Indian women online, IAMAI reports that 57% of them log in from home, 46% are unmarried, 38% are married women with kids and 78% have gone online in the last three years. In addition, Indian women are cautious online shoppers, preferring to window shop rather than buy online.

"The online population is well poised to grow to 100 million from the current 38.5 million users," said IAMAI president, Preeti Desai, "and the percentage of women is likely to increase to 40% in the next two years."

One of the key reasons for the rise in adoption are the broadband policies of the IT and Telecom Ministry. A monthly broadband subscription now costs as little as 199 rupees ($4.50), and in India, as elsewhere, more broadband connectivity leads to more Internet activity and commerce overall.

Another initiative by the ministry is also having a positive affect: making computers available for purchase under 10,000 rupees ($226).

Once online, Indians do much the same things as everyone else around the globe, starting with checking their e-mail.

Source emarketer.com
2/13/2006