Home is where the mart is

It''s finally happened. The home user has begun to make a significant impact in the Indian PC market - on all fronts. Not only have the home users been responsible for the highest growth rate among different segments of PC users, they are also beginning to make an impact on the Internet scenario.

A recent study by International Data Corporation on the Indian home segment has thrown up some interesting findings:

1. 37 per cent of those who currently do not have Internet access plan to acquire a subscription very soon.
2. 90 per cent of the internet user families have more than one member using the internet at home
3. The heavier users in households are the children above 18 and the male household head.
4. 97 per cent of the users access the internet for their communication and information needs

These findings are extremely relevant in the context of the PC vendors and service providers. So far, the home users may have been an extension of the office user, i.e. the office user using accessing  the Internet from home. But now, there seems to be a definite move towards getting a personal account for home use in the wake of lower access rates, more service providers, easier access and better service.

Given these findings, PC vendors would move in to offer a ''packaged product'' inclusive of a net connection. By tying up with ISPs'' vendors would be able to offer a suitable product for the home user. ISPs on their part have begun to offer off the shelf packages, which will be well received in this segment.