27.12.16

76% of Indians not on Internet

India may have the world's second largest internet user base, but connectivity remains out of reach for nearly 950 million citizens, said an Assocham-Deloitte joint study. India currently has about 350 million internet users, second only to China. Internet penetration is increasing in India and the access to affordable broadband, smart devices and monthly data packages are required to spread digital literacy to make their ends meet, the study said.
Existing government infrastructure assets should be further leveraged for provision of digital services at remote locations, it said. The study said digital literacy needs to be increased by providing institutional trainings in schools, colleges and universities. It pitched for accelerating partnerships with global technology leaders and using the workforce trained under `Skill India' to impart trainings.
An integrated approach between Digital India and Skill India needs to be constructed to design programmes and impart training, it said.The report called for incentivising private sector players for developing infrastructure, providing services and promoting digital literacy as part of the Digital India programme. Besides, integration of local language and technology is also required to drive digital literacy . The report said fear of cybercrime and breach of privacy have been deterrents in adoption of digital technologies in the country .

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