India’s active internet user base to hit 639 mn by year-end

NEW DELHI : India’s monthly active internet user base is estimated to touch 639 million by the end of December, thanks to the covid-19-induced lockdown that has forced people to stay indoors.

Currently estimated at 574 million, the number of monthly active internet users has grown 24% over that of 2019, indicating an overall penetration of 41% last year. The analysis is part of the ICUBETM report prepared by data, insights and consulting company Kantar.

The report said India’s rural areas are driving its digital revolution, with a 45% growth in internet penetration in 2019 as compared to urban India’ s 11%. Rural India has 264 million internet users this is expected to reach 304 million in 2020. Local language content and video drive the internet boom in rural India, with a 2.5 times rise in penetration in the last four years. Mobile is the device of choice for 100% of active users to browse the internet.