IAMAI And IMRB have come up with a release on the number of active rural internet users. The number as of March 08 is pegged at 3.3 million active internet users in rural India. The total number of Internet users that have accessed the internet atleast once is pegged at about 5.5 million.
According to the survey the overall Rural Literate Population around 368 Million while the Rural English-Speaking Population is pegged at just 1/6th at 63 Million. Which means that 5/6th of the literate population speaks their own regional language. Also the report pegs the number of computer Rural Computer Literates at 15.1 million.
As the above statistics illustrate there is a definite possibility that that next 50 million Internet users in India would consist of a large chunk of regional language content consumers. Most definitely this report does make a clear case for content and applications in local languages in order to ensure higher and faster adoption of internet in rural India. So it ain’t surprising then that Rediff is going regional in 22 languages and not too long ago they also acquired mobile firm into regional content.
The question still remains though as to whether Vernacular content can drive the number of internet users?
Well the problem I feel is one of access, usability and value and not just about content. I feel regional content of mobile would be much more successful than on the web. The prime reasons are cost of device and frequency of consumption as well as the low tech knowledge as compared to a computer. I could be terribly wrong on this one as well. Would love to know your thoughts on whether vernacular content can drive usage of internet or it has to be the other way round? First the demand and then the supply? Or can over supply create demand?
The above statistics are from the recent Vernacular content report that we blogged as well. The report coverage and entire report can be downloaded here.
