India to have 371 million mobile internet users by June: Report

NEW DELHI: The mobile internet user base in India is expected to reach 371 million by June, even as the share of mobile internet spend rose and average cost of accessing data fell by about 18% compared to last year, according to a report by Internet & Mobile Association of India and IMRB-International.

The mobile internet user base reached 306 million by December last year, and is expected to touch 371 million users by June. Urban mobile Internet users are expected to constitute about 71% of this number, with 262 million users, while rural India is expected to have 109 million mobile internet users.

The report, “Mobile Internet in India 2015”, found the share of mobile Internet spend in average monthly bill rose to 64% in 2015 from 54% in 2014, while the average monthly bill fell nearly 18% to about Rs 360.

“Extensive use of apps, freely available over internet is main cause of this. Price sensitive Indian users are highly inclined towards this and use such apps for calling and communication purpose. Many have completely done away with SMS, which earlier was a one of the main contributor to the bill,” the report noted.