Study finds 84 per cent of rural India is unaware of Internet
14 Sep 2010
A research jointly conducted by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and Indian Market Research Bureau (IMRB) has found that 84 per cent of rural India is ignorant of the Internet medium.
Lack of awareness is the primary cause for the absence of the medium in rural India, says the report. It adds that 38 per cent of the rural population feels no need for internet.
Infrastructural inadequacies like electricity and proper Internet connection hamper the penetration of Internet in these areas.
The report shows that 31 per of rural population does not have Internet access points, 25 per cent has no Internet connection and about 22 per cent has no electricity. Absence of digital gadgets is a further impediment.
Common service centers (CSCs) and cyber cafes serve as the primary mode of accessing the Internet for rural dwellers. More than 70 per cent of the rural population access Internet through CSCs and cyber cafes, the report states.
Speaking about the findings of the research, Subho Ray, president, IAMAI, said, ''The high percentage of people in rural India who are not aware of Internet underlines the need for better infrastructure and schemes like CSCs and SWAN. Such schemes will go a long way in increasing the Internet penetration in rural areas.''
