Mobile Internet growth to gain momentum

CHENNAI: With more services and content available on multiple languages, the usage of mobile Internet and mobile content is expected to grow considerably in India in the next 12 months, according to the Internet and Online Association of India (IOAI).

IOAI president Preeti Desai said, “The use of mobile Internet is expected to increase in India, with the increasing penetration of mobile or hand-held devices compared to the wired services. The first phase of the boom is expected in the top 10 cities identified by the IOAI.”

However, she added that telecom companies in India also have a positive role in bringing mobile Internet revolution in India by slashing the charges for mobile Internet access.

Quoting a recent IOAI survey, she said, “nearly15 percent of Indians access Internet via mobile, of which 86 percent of the subscribers visit entertainment sites and has been using all types of mobiles content. It is projected that these subscribers or online users are willing to spend five times the amount in next 12 months for quality and valuable mobile contents.”

Preeti further added that the mobile content market is expected to grow simultaneously, as about 86 percent of the online users access to various kinds of mobile contents such as ringtones, SMS content, surfing, games, etc.