Internet usage in India at 100 million

The number of internet users in India has reached 100 milion in September. According to a survey by Internet & Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and IMRB, internet usage would grow by further 20 million by the year-end to 212 million, out of which 97 million are active users who browse the internet at least once a month.

In an indication of increasing internet users in rural areas, it says 29 million users are from rural areas, while 92 million are from cities. Out of the active users, 48 per cent used internet at least four to six times a week, while 29 per cent used internet daily. The survey, commissioned by IAMAI and carried out by IMRB, covered 16,728 households and 60,000 individuals in urban area as well as 3,500 households and 13,209 people in the rural areas across the country. Despite the growth of those accessing the internet from home (37 per cent), which has happened at the expense of common access points like cyber cafes, the latter still has a “hands down” lead” with 148 and 190 users per connection per month.