Mobile Internet Users in India 2018

Internet Video

With access to abundant 3g, 4g and broadband networks, mobile internet users are growing phenomenally in India. Further, this is also boosted by free internet access zones, rail Wi-Fi. Even the tier 2 city railway stations are equipped with high-speed free internet facilities. Mall culture plus tourism infrastructure are also contributing largely to the use of mobile internet. Nowadays, the government of India is facilitating digitalization in sell-purchase, tax management and many more services lead to mass usage of mobile internet. In the past decade, we saw that internet access through mobile phones was not easy due to bad data speed and suitable mobile phones. After 2013, when the android revolution took place with Samsung mobile, Vivo and Xiaomi, the use of mobile internet started booming. India’s local mobile manufacturers like Micromax, Lava, Karbon, and Intex started offering state of the art mobile phones equipped with kit-kat, Gingerbread, Icecream Sandwich, Jellybean and snapdragon of android versions at very affordable rates have been driving Indian youth crazy. These mobile phones come with dual 4g network slot and enhanced version of Wi-Fi connectivity options that give users a refined experience of mobile internet. These mobiles have several features related to display also. Some are called phablet for a larger display and some offer amazing video experience with VR option.

According to a report, in 2018 the mobile internet usage soared up to 390.9 million which reflects the Indian's love for internet on the go. We can understand it by a chart given below:

Internet Mobile Data

This chart above is self-explanatory as to how fast India is heading towards total mobile internet usage. The period between 2016 to 2017 was the golden period for mobile internet usage when mobile internet users rose up by 281.1 million to 351.6 million. 

We can also measure mobile internet growth in India under several propositions hereunder:

• 3g Age: 3g age has been dominated the mobile internet around 3 years when having a 3g connection was perceived as a status symbol.

• 4g Age: With the arrival of Reliance Jio in mobile space, the mobile internet activities grown-up leaps and bounds. Mobile phones compatible with 4g technology has been providing jet-speed browsing and downloading through mobiles.

• Social Media Age: Day by day since 2010, social media has grown up with new features and user experience. Facebook was the first to launch a business platform widely. Later on, linkedIn, Whatsapp, Instagram and many more came up with different specialties.

• Selfie Age: Selfies are very popular nowadays and mobile phone manufacturers are concentrating on dual-camera features. In fact, Oppo mobile has branded itself as a camera phone manufacturer.

• Mobile Banking Age: Today, mobile internet and banking services in India have a close relation. Most of the banks have their own mobile apps from where a customer can access his banking facilities on just a few taps. These apps are also included with basic services like ticket booking, bill payment, mobile recharge, and DTH recharge.

• Video calling Age: Video calling is a fashion today even in suburban areas. With video clarity on WhatsApp and Facebook messenger and presentation capability on Zoom, people are forgetting voice calls.

• YouTube Age: Today’s internet mobile age can be termed as ‘YouTube’ age. It is really a tough competitor for TV sets. Indians with more curiosity, try to watch exactly what they want to watch and YouTube is fulfilling their dreams. Just a Google id and you can rock on YouTube with your own channel which in turn also provides a basis for earning.  

No doubt, the mobile phone is the new mantra for digital India. Cyber laws are taking place for privacy and data security. Huge population of India is the catalyst for the growth of the mobile internet. Product and service providers are also wrapping up fast with their traditional business practices and ensuring listing on IndiaMart and Justdial for better coverage. Moreover, travel is becoming an integral part of the Indians day by day with people looking for handy internet access which can only and efficiently be provided by mobile phones.