300 Million Internet Users: How?

The Chairman of the trade body Internet and Mobile Association of India [IAMAI] and the CEO of Info Edge [I] Ltd., one of the largest internet business in India, believes that "Universal availability of low price, high speed access is the key to broadband adoption". Explaining the theme of IAMAI's annual event the India Digital Summit, he mentioned that critical to achieve 300 million users in the next 2-3 years is Access: universality of access cost of access and quality of access. The theme of this year's India Digital Summit is "Preparing for 300 million users".

Dr. Parthasarathi Shome ' Director & CEO, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations (ICRIER), said relevance is most important to adoption. He is of the view that "Broadband aided education must be introduced as an integral part of course curriculum."

According to IAMAI, for broadband to get to the 100 million households first, who make up 40% of all households in India, there is a need for a service which is priced no more than Rs 200 per month, and not Rs 2000 per month. This will greatly augment the penetration of internet in India, and pave the way for 300 million internet users in the next five years.

The two days summit will be held at The India Habitat Centre, New Delhi on 18-19 January