Internet user base grows by 40 pc, to reach 46 million

New Delhi, Dec 9: The number of internet users in India in the ever-user or claimed-user category touched 46 million in September, up 40 per cent from 32.2 million in September 2006, a study said.

During the same period, the number of active internet users reached 32 million,according to a report published jointly by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and IMRB International,a pioneer in market research.

IAMAI president Subho Ray said though 40 per cent year-on- year growth is more than earlier growth of 30-35 per cent but it is not very satisfactory. He said broadband, which would drive more applications, functions and businesses and, therefore, more users, now really needs to take off in India to make the growth sustainable.

The report said the growth has occurred because the number of internet users who know how to use a computer unaided have grown to 65 million from 15.8 million in 2000. As much as 70 per cent of the PC literates have used internet some time or the other in their lives, the report added.

IMRB senior vice president Mohan Krishnan said though the demand for internet is still largely urban-driven, yet there is a digital divide even in urban areas and this should be bridged with appropriate policy measures.

The report is based on survey of 65,000 households conducted in Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Pune, Patna, Lucknow, Ludhiana, Coimbatore, Guwahati, Surat, Nagpur, Bhopal, Bhubaneshwar, Durg, Vishakhapatnam, Trichy, Bellary, Panipat, Trisshur and Jalgaon, IAMAI added.

UNI