The number of Internet users on mobile phones grew by 350% in India during the last one year. A recent report published by Internet & Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and IMRB International says India has 2 mn users of Internet on mobile phones as of now. In the year 2008, the number of Internet users on mobile phone was 45 mn only. The growth is the result of booming telecommunication industry in India and growing awareness about availability of Internet on mobile phones among individual users and enterprises.
The number could grow manifold in the coming few years, as a small number of people having compatible handsets are using the Internet on the platform. The study states that there are close to 127 million mobile subscribers effectively 27%, out of the total subscriber base of 471 million, have mobile devices ready for Internet.The figure simply indicates that a large market is still untapped. Of the 127 million subscribers having compatible handsets, only 9.4% or to say 12 million users have used Internet over their mobile phones ever in this year (at least once in last one year). This number further reduces down to 2 million or 17% when it comes to active users.
Of the 2 mn users, nearly 70 % of users are college going kids and young men which fall into the age group of 18-35 year, which incidentally constitutes the major chunk of active users. Non-working women (3%) and older men (10%) also use Internet on their phones.
Online communication happens to be the major application in the vogue (this will entail chatting, accessing the social networking sites and m-blogging), 60% users who are accessing Internet through mobile will account for this. This is closely followed by information search which stand at 23% of the total active users. Only 7% subscribers user it from e-commerce activity. E-commerce contribution would grow in the couple of years keeping in view of the money transfer facility being available on the mobile phones, following the new RBI guideline. So far e-commerce on mobile phones were limited for paying utility bills only.
akhileshs@cybermedia.co.in
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