Are Indian Youngsters less Tech Savvy Then Their Global Counterparts?
By nishant5n
@nishant5n (1067)
India
January 30, 2011 3:59am CST
Dear myLotters!
According to latest research conducted in Bangalore, India, it was discovered that Indian youngsters lag far behind in their usage of mobile internet when compared to their global counterparts. Comparatively, they do not use internet and related services on their mobile phones as much as youth in other parts of globe do.
Market Researcher Nielsen captured the use of cellphone to access internet over a period of 30 days in different countries of world.
This study revealed the following data:
INDIA :::: Less than 10 percent of young Indians used their mobile devices to access the web in 30 days.
UNITED KINGDOM :::: 46 percent of youth in the UK used mobile internet in 30 days.
UNITED STATES :::: American youth "can't stop sending emails!". Some 48 percent of US youth used mobile Internet in 30 days.
CHINA :::: About 73 percent of Chinese youngsters used mobile Internet in 30 days.
EUROPEAN COUNTRIES :::: Less than 25 percent of young people used mobile internet in 30 days.
SAUDI ARABIA :::: Over 12 percent young generation used cellphone to search internet. Their main uses included download of ringtones and screensavers.
Indian youth's main cellphone use was noted to be text messaging and picture messaging, i.e., Multimedia Messages.
What are the factors which influence mobile internet use?
Is it cellphone device selection?
Is it high cost of internet usage over cellphone?
Is it culture?
Does Economy has some role?
What do you think? What can be the possible reasons?
http://www.siliconindia.com/shownews/Are_Indian_youngsters_less_tech_savvy_-nid-77306.html
6 responses
@raj7shot (838)
• India
30 Jan 11
Because no subscribers are ready to give free browsing in mobile.If they will ready to give then all the people will start use their mobile for browsing.
@nishant5n (1067)
• India
30 Jan 11
Hi Raj,
How are you doing?
Mobile internet browsing is free in other countries?
@nishant5n (1067)
• India
31 Jan 11
yeah, you are correct, that is why I am not using internet on my mobile.
As you said, no subscriber is ready to provide free browsing, I thought it is free in other countries; so asked.
Have a great day!
@thesids (22180)
• Bhubaneswar, India
31 Jan 11
Hi Nishant,
I have a few points here maybe they can help -
1. Many are ignorant - unaware of how to use this service on the cell
2. It is the handsets - most of the users dont have GPRS enabled handsets (I am one too)
3. The process of using this facility from the service provider is unclear - I had this problem with BSNL when I had a better handset and they could not help me get connected to the Internet
4. The speed is too slow (even slower than a dial up connection) - When I used my earlier handset for Internet connectivity, I felt that it was about 4-7 kbps
5. The 3G got introduced (around)last year and the prices are too costly (for BSNL 2500 pm for 24X7 free)
6. I find it difficult to use Internet on the cellphone - many do have difficulty using the keypad, the stick or whatever
7. Most of the webpages are not designed to work on cellphone display so reading , navigating etc. does become hectic and more of a pain
Maybe some more but for now I have this list.
And yes, I have accepted you as a friend - sorry for the delay.
Cheers,
theSids.
@nishant5n (1067)
• India
31 Jan 11
Hi buddy,
Many thanks for accepting my friendship. I am sure we will make great friends.
You are quite right, as always, ignorance is one of the most prevailing hurdles. People with GPRS enabled handsets search cybercafe because they do not know that they can surf net on their cellphone!
Back a few years, having a multimedia mobile was a symbol of status in our country, so to utilize internet on mobile one requires a handset with a bit more features. Everybody do not have such handsets and hence are unable to use internet on their devices.
Connectivity and clear guidelines is still a problem here in India. There are no clear-cut plans for the charges. Network is getting better, but still users have to suffer connectivity problems. Consistency of speed is a problem along with connectivity.
I also concur with you that 3G is still out of reach for general public due to its cost.
Reasons suggested by you have great strength and depth, probably they contribute extensively towards the answer as to why Indian youngsters lag behind in their use of internet on their cellphone.
Once again, many thanks for your not only informative, but also valuable response.
@nainesh1 (1656)
• India
30 Jan 11
The main factor I can see is very high charges of mobile internet . I use to surf internet from my mobiles a few years ago when it was unlimited for RS.99 a month but now it costs more and speed is very lees . I can't work with the online earning sites on phone so I am happy with my internet on PC.
@nishant5n (1067)
• India
30 Jan 11
Yes, there is no doubt that internet experience is best with a PC or Laptop, but applications like e-mails can be very helpful through mobile internet. One can check mails while in travel.
Service cost is an important factor in determining the use of internet on mobile. I personally do not prefer it due the very same reason.
@ravi_s2025 (510)
• India
8 Feb 11
I disagree.Most of the middle class to high class people are very much into internet world.But I cant say that about poor people who constitutes about 60% of india's population.Internet is still a dream for many people in rural india.But the number of internet users from india has been increasing steadily in past few years.If you look at the statistics about that you will realize how fast india is growing in terms of internet usage. May be one or two decades,by that time india will add at least four times more internet users than what there are today,just like how mobile phone became a revolution in india since the year 2000.One decade ago we had like 1 crore phone users and now it is like 50 crore or so. Now broadband internet is getting a lot cheaper,thanks to some private players who forced bsnl to bring down their rates.
@nishant5n (1067)
• India
18 Feb 11
Hi Ravi,
I am sorry, you entirely misinterpreted my discussion topic.
It is about internet usage through mobile phones, not through computers via broadband, DSL, data card, or other devices.
@keval32 (1096)
• India
31 Jan 11
As per me, I think we are having lack of speed, which makes internet surfing on mobile boring. As 3G came now, this percentile will surely go up.
It is not like that we are less tech savvy, Indian youth is tech savvy. I am sure, if this study gonna take place after 2 years, we'll have this percentile gone up to 40%.
@nishant5n (1067)
• India
31 Jan 11
Hi Keval,
Wow, I wish it goes up to 75% More than that of China!
I love India, and want to see India on the top.
Speed is a problem, no doubt.
Yes, 3G has arrived, and hope it will chance the scenario.
@nishant5n (1067)
• India
30 Jan 11
Hi,
By internet on mobile I meant mobile internet, on mobile itself.
If I connect a cellphone with a computer, I am using cellphone as modem.
