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India to cross 900M internet users by 2025 led by rural areas
YourStory
·
7m ago
Medial
India is expected to surpass 900 million internet users by 2025, driven largely by rural areas experiencing a growth rate twice that of urban regions. Presently, rural India has 488 million internet users, surpassing urban areas' 397 million. Factors like affordable smartphones and data, along with government initiatives, are boosting internet penetration. Content consumption is shifting towards Indic languages and digital platforms, while cash-on-delivery sees a resurgence, especially in rural areas.
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How India is using the Internet
Economic Times
·
1y ago
Medial
The number of active internet users in India has surpassed 820 million, with over 442 million coming from rural areas. Internet penetration in the country grew by eight percent in 2023. Urban India spends slightly more time online than rural areas, but women still lag behind men in internet usage. Video and audio streaming are the top internet activities, with one in five users watching video exclusively online. There is an increase in non-traditional device usage and social media shopping. Cash on delivery for online shopping is preferred by only 26 percent of users. Music streaming and local language use are also on the rise.
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105 Million Use COD While Shopping Online, says Report
OutlookIndia
·
7m ago
Medial
A report by IAMAI and KANTAR highlights that 105 million Indians use cash on delivery (COD) while shopping online, reflecting a trend due to limited access to UPI and preferences for assurance before payment. As e-commerce expands in rural areas, the reliance on COD grows, but social media-based shopping is declining. India's internet users could reach 900 million by 2025, with significant growth from rural areas, and AI use is increasing for productivity.
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OTT audio, video services driving internet usage in India: report
Economic Times
·
1y ago
Medial
In 2023, over-the-top audio and video services became the most popular internet use case in India, with 86% of internet users consuming them. Rural India is driving the use of various online activities such as OTT, communications, social media, online gaming, net commerce, digital payments, and online learning. However, around half of the rural population remains non-active internet users due to reasons like difficulty in understanding the internet and lack of interest. The adoption of digital entertainment services is aided by the rise of non-traditional devices. Voice-based commands and Indic language preferences are gaining popularity. The total active internet user base surpassed 800 million, with over 55% of Indians using the internet in 2023. Internet penetration grew moderately at 8% year-on-year, with rural India accounting for over 53% of the total base.
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TiE Delhi-NCR’s India Internet Day 2025 Celebrates Indicorn Surge; AI, Fintech & More Discussed
OutlookIndia
·
4m ago
Medial
India Internet Day 2025, organized by TiE Delhi-NCR, gathered policymakers, investors, and tech leaders to discuss India's digital future. The event aimed to propel India toward its $1 trillion digital economy target by 2030. Discussions centered around AI, fintech, 5G, and digital public infrastructure. The growing digital economy is projected to account for one-fifth of India's GDP by 2029, with rural internet adoption playing a crucial role in achieving this growth.
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India's fintech sector records dip in funding, raises $2 billion in 2023: Report
Business Today
·
1y ago
Medial
India's fintech sector raised $2 billion in funding in 2023, a decline of 63% and 76% compared to the previous two years. Despite challenges such as increasing borrowing costs and macroeconomic conditions, India ranked third globally in fintech startup funding. Alternative lending, payments, and banking tech were the top-performing segments, with digital lending expected to grow with the government's Digital Personal Data Protection Act. Digital banking also gained popularity, particularly in rural areas, aided by increased internet usage and mobile device accessibility. The Indian government's BharatNet project aims to enhance broadband connectivity in rural areas, potentially attracting more investments.
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Vehicle-makers bet big on rural drive
Thehindubusinessline
·
1y ago
Medial
Passenger vehicle (PV) sales in rural areas have seen significant growth, outpacing the urban market. Maruti Suzuki India (MSIL) reported a rural PV growth rate of 11.7% compared to 8% in urban areas, fueled by near-normal monsoon and higher Rabi sowing. MSIL expects rural sales to surpass eight lakh units, with a rural penetration rate of around 45%. Tata Motors also experienced strong growth in rural markets, with sales volumes in FY24 five times higher than in FY20. Hyundai Motor India also noted a significant increase in the contribution from rural markets to its total sales. The growth in rural sales is attributed to the expansion of dealer networks, improvements in road infrastructure, and increased investment in rural areas.
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FMCG firms worry over high inflation, squeezing urban market; hint price hike
YourStory
·
10m ago
Medial
Leading FMCG companies experienced a decline in margins in Q3 due to higher input costs and food inflation, which affected urban consumption. Rising commodity prices, such as palm oil, coffee, and cocoa, have led some companies to consider price hikes. Rural markets have continued to grow, and premium products and quick-commerce channels have shown positive performance. Companies like GCPL, Dabur India, and Nestle India have reported decreased profits and expressed concerns over the challenging demand environment. Overall, urban areas have been more impacted by food inflation and weakened consumer spending compared to rural areas.
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Bridging The Urban-Rural Digital Divide In India
Inc42
·
1y ago
Medial
The digital divide between rural and urban areas in India remains stark, with only 24% of rural households having access to the internet compared to 66% in cities. This disconnect creates barriers to accessing entitlements, job opportunities, and financial inclusion. However, there have been government initiatives to address this issue, such as the establishment of Common Service Centers and the BharatNet project. Startups are also playing a crucial role in bridging the divide through vernacular knowledge platforms, digital skilling, and ecommerce solutions. Bridging the urban-rural divide requires a multi-stakeholder approach and investment in infrastructure to create a digitally equal India.
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Trai caps connectivity costs of public Wi-Fi providers
Economic Times
·
2m ago
Medial
The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has capped broadband connectivity costs for public Wi-Fi providers at double the rates of home broadband services, aiming to enhance internet accessibility via the PM-WANI initiative. Despite telecom operators' objections, this move intends to boost public Wi-Fi hotspots across India. TRAI argues that high telco rates deterred public data office (PDO) licenses, affecting the PM-WANI targets for expanding public internet access in rural and underserved areas.
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Rural-focussed NBFC Moneyboxx Finance raises $21 mn
VCCircle
·
11m ago
Medial
Non-bank lender Moneyboxx Finance has raised $21 million in capital to support its growth plans. The company focuses on impact investing by providing business loans to micro entrepreneurs in rural areas. The fund raise puts Moneyboxx Finance in a position to achieve a target of over $335 million by 2025-26. The company plans to keep raising capital going forward and aims to enhance its outreach and impact in rural India. Moneyboxx Finance is supported by 33 lenders, including State Bank of India, HDFC Bank, and Kotak Mahindra Bank.
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