The National Association of Software and Service Companies (Nasscom) today said that the number of Internet subscribers in India is expected to grow to 15 million by December 2003 from the present level of 1.8 million. Internet users, who now stand at 5.5 million-strong, will also grow to 50 million by December 31, 2003.

The findings are based on a Nasscom study spanning 68 Indian cities. The study further pointed out that there were five million personal computers (PCs) as of August 31, 2000, and more than 81 per cent sold during 1999-2000 were driven by the need to access the Internet.

While the state capitals accounted for 77 per cent of the Internet connections, the rest came from smaller cities. Identifying cable TV as the engine of Internet growth, the survey said that the country had 35 million cable connections against five million PCs at present The survey also found that 91 per cent of India’s corporate websites were located overseas. Categorising the Internet users across the country in separate age groups, the study said that as of June 30, 2000, 49 per cent of surfers belonged to the 18-24 age group and 28 per cent to 25-39 group. The age group of less than 18 years contributed to 12 per cent of Indians accessing the Net while the age group of 40-54 contributes about 8 per cent of the Internet users, the age group of 55 and above contributes only 3 per cent of the Indians accessing the Net.

Nearly 48 per cent of Internet users accessed the Net daily and another 31 per cent two to four times every week, it added. The survey revealed that males continued to outnumber females in accessing the internet. "While 75 per cent of the Internet users are males, females constitute a mere 25 per cent. This is way below the world average where male to female ratio is 55:45." Mehta said. The Indian Internet users are dominated by professionals and the corporate segment which accounts to about 43 per cent of Internet usage. Close behind is the student community represented by school and college goers, contributing close to 38 percent of Internet surfers.

According to the study, the emerging housewives segment, though modest at 4 per cent now is likely to witness a hike in the years ahead. IT also indicates that of the total Internet users around 20 per cent own credit cards and around 14 percent own mobile phones.