Internet users in India likely to cross 500 million by June 2018: Study

A joint survey carried out by the Internet and Mobile Association of India and Kantar IMRB estimates the total number of internet users in India to reach 500 million by June 2018.

The country reported 481 million internet users in December 2017 -- a jump of 11.34 per cent as compared to December 2016.

"The number of internet users is expected to reach 500 million by June 2018," the report 'Internet in India 2017' stated.

As per the official data released by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI), the country had close to 362.87 million broadband subscribers by the end of December 2017.

The survey, which was conducted between June to August 2017, covered 60,000 individuals from urban India across 170 cities and 15,000 individuals across 750 villages in the rural area.

Some of the key highlights from the report are stated below:

1. Urban India witnessed a growth of 9.66 per cent from December 2016.

2. Urban India had around 295 million internet users as on December 2017.

3. Rural India witnessed a growth of 14.11 per cent from December 2016.

4. Around 186 million internet users were reported in rural India as on December 2017.

5. 86 per cent internet users in urban India access it for online communication, 85 per cent for entertainment, 70 per cent for social networking, 44 per cent online finance and transactions and 35 per cent for online services.

6. For rural India, entertainment is top content for 58 per cent internet users followed by online communication for 56 per cent, social networking 49 per cent, online services 35 per cent and online finance and transaction 16 per cent.

7. Students and youngsters account for around 60 per cent of the total internet use in India.

8. An estimated 182.9 million or 62 per cent access internet daily in urban India.

9. 98 million users, 53 per cent, in rural India access internet daily.

10.The overall internet penetration, as of December 2017, was recorded at 35 per cent of total population.

"Among the Rural Internet users, the ratio between male to female Internet users is 64:36. The proportion of Internet users by gender in Rural India has seen much change over last year with Internet users among rural females growing steadily. The increasing gender parity in Internet usage is a welcome development," the report said.

The survey was conducted in 170 cities and 750 villages by the Internet and Mobile Association of India and Kantar IMRB

(With inputs from PTI)