The use of internet is increasing at a phenomenal rate in India. It will be interesting to note that the country first experimented internet at a commercial level only about two decades ago on 15th August 1995 when VSNL introduced public internet access via dialup services in six cities of the country. The public internet access didn’t have to look back since then. The use of internet grew by leaps and bounds over this period, more significantly during the advent of the 21st century.
Seen in the context of the global situation, it is interesting to note that while in 1995, the total number of people using internet in the world was less than one per cent, it has now grown to more than 40 per cent. China with its present figure of about 640 million users tops the list, followed by the US, where the number of users account to around 280 million. India stands third with the number of internet users being more than 243 million. Thus, these three countries alone have more than 41% of the total internet users of the world.
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The scenario is going to change soon. According to a report of the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and IMRB International, the number of internet users in India is likely to grow by as much as 32 per cent over the last year, thereby increasing the number of users to 302 million as at the end of 2014. This would mean that India would replace the US to the second position. China will however continue to occupy the first position.
It is further estimated that the number of Internet users in India will grow by around 35 per cent (per year) to 354 million by the middle of next year. Thus, the growth has not only been fast enough, it is fascinating too. Internet in India took more than ten years to increase from 10 million to 100 million, while it could double the number of users from 100 million to 200 million in just three years. This rate of accelerated growth may eventually help the country to the role of a major world player in the sphere of internet and internet related areas.
Author : Syed Zafar Ahmad
Designation: Executive Director
Bio: A freelancer with a flair for experimenting with innovative technology and electronic gadgets that could enrich the life of a modern common man, and a consultant in issues touching every-day life of a computer suave professional.
Bio: A freelancer with a flair for experimenting with innovative technology and electronic gadgets that could enrich the life of a modern common man, and a consultant in issues touching every-day life of a computer suave professional.
