Internet? What's that, asks 84% rural India

Internet might have changed the world in a big way, but about 84 per cent of people in rural India remain unaware of the phenomenon, as poor infrastructure has kept it from reaching the masses, says a report.

Further, it found that 38 per cent people in rural areas do not feel the need for the Internet. Lack of infrastructure that has prevented Internet penetration in rural India, has been citied as the primary reason for lack of awareness.

The report said 31 per cent of rural population does not have Internet access point, 25 per cent population has no Internet connection and about 22 per cent has no electricity.

Besides, it added, "The lack of personal ownership of digital gadgets is an impediment to the Internet penetration in rural India."

The report is based on research conducted jointly by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) and leading market research consultancy organisation IMRB.

"The high percentage of people in rural India who are not aware of Internet underlines the need for better infrastructure and schemes like common service centres and State Wide Area Network," IAMAI President Subho Ray said.

"Such schemes will go a long way in increasing the Internet penetration in rural areas," he added.

More than 70 per cent of the rural population accesses Internet through CSCs and cyber cafes.

This figure brings forth the need to improve the infrastructural setup with Government of Indias schemes like CSCs and SWAN Scheme, the report said.