The number of mobile internet users in India is expected to reach 371 million by June 2016, according to the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and IMRB International.
In its latest report, titled ‘Mobile Internet in India 2015’, the organisation said there were 306 million mobile internet users in India in December, 2015. Of the 306 million internet users, 219 million users are from Urban India, which registered a Y-o-Y growth of 71 per cent, while the user-base in Rural India has gone up by 93 per cent from December 2014, to reach 87 million in December 2015.
The report also claimed that the share of mobile internet spend out of average monthly bill has increased to 64 per cent in 2015 as compared to 54 per cent in 2014. The average monthly bill has reduced to the extent of 18 per cent compared to last year.
“For the first time “Online Communication†has surpassed “Social media websites” to top the purpose to access mobile internet list. 80 per cent of the urban users use mobile internet for communication whereas 74 per cent access social networking sites using their mobile internet. In Rural India however, majority of the users access Mobile Internet for Entertainment. This is followed by Social Networking & Online Communication,” the report added.
The Internet and Mobile Association of India [IAMAI] was established in 2004 and it represents the online and mobile VAS industry in India.