The number of Internet users in India has exceeded 100 million for the first time, says a report.
The latest data published by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) has revealed that "the number of Internet users in India stood at 112 million in September this year, with 88 million of them coming from the urban cities and 24 million from the country's numerous villages and small towns."
As compared to last year's data, the number of Internet users rose by 13 percent and it would further add 11 million users to the tally before the end of the year.
The IAMAI report says the usage of public cyber cafes is falling, whereas the government-installed Common Service Centres (CSCs) in villages are becoming popular.
The report predicts that Internet usage will continue to rise in India as awareness about its use spreads. It says that India may become the world leader in Internet usage by the end of this decade.
Another data provided by Google predict that Internet users in India will increase three fold by 2014. The Google data indicate India's sudden upsurge in Internet penetration after 2001.
As of June, 30, 2011, Internet World Stats report, India ranks second after China.
Highlights of Internet Penetration in India
- Out of the 112 million Internet users, over 75% comprises youth going to school or college.
- In the urban areas, people are moving from cyber cafés to broadband connections installed in their homes, which is a positive sign.
- 10 percent of India's population (1.2 billion) accesses the Internet.
- Out of the 112 million Internet users, only 90 million claim to use the Internet at least once a month.
- In India, 58.6 million PCs are in use and 14.7 million are connected to the Internet, out of which 11.9 million are broadband.
