Ahmedabad: Disparities in income levels in Gujarat appear to correlate with smartphone ownership and internet access, revealed recent data from the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI). The state boasts 6.7 crore mobile subscribers, while the number of internet subscribers stands at 5.4 crore.This means eight out of 10 mobile phones have internet connections and about 20% of cellphone owners do not have internet connectivity. “Every mobile connection is enabled with internet connectivity. Therefore, if 20% of users do not use the internet, it is likely that they do not use smartphones. Many people who cannot afford smartphones tend to use regular feature phones. They rarely opt for add-on services,” said an industry source. “On the other hand, urban areas exhibit higher smartphone and smart device penetration, leading to greater overall internet usage, including among children,” the source added.According to telecom industry sources, the rural-urban digital divide remains stark, with rural internet tele density notably lower at 48.12% compared to urban areas at 102.16%.Gujarat ranks 10th in internet penetration in India, trailing behind Kerala (92.19% connections per 100 population), Delhi (235.65%), Andhra Pradesh (74.69%), Himachal Pradesh (86.4%), Jammu Kashmir (80.92%), Karnataka (81.65%), Maharashtra (85.45%), Punjab (86.92%) and Tamil Nadu (77.1%). According to TRAI’s latest report, rural teledensity in Gujarat stood at 70.8% in the April to June quarter of this year.“Affordability emerged as a significant factor for telecom usage, particularly in rural regions. In a rural family of seven, people opted for fewer numbers instead of seven sim cards,” explained a telecom industry source.
We also published the following articles recently
Over half of 821mn internet users from rural India: Survey
Rural India had more active internet users than urban India, with 442 million users compared to 378 million. The total number of internet users in India increased to 821 million in 2023. Shared device usage for internet access is higher in rural India.
Over half of 821mn internet users from rural India: Study
Rural India has surpassed urban India in terms of active internet users, with a growth rate of 78%. Online activities like OTT, communication, social media, and online gaming are popular in rural India. Cash on delivery is used by only 26% of Indians for online shopping. The survey covered over 90,000 households, providing comprehensive insights into internet usage.
Internet ban lifted in Churachandpur
The Manipur government has lifted the suspension on internet services in Churachandpur district due to improved law and order situation, as per the home department order.
