Synopsis
Despite the considerable popularity of Internet in India, the ISP market was for a long time in disarray. It appears to some extent to have settled down. After a period of market rationalisation, there are now around 160 operational ISPs in the country. Despite the large number of providers, just 10% of the ISPs have 90% of the subscribers. In fact, 5% have 88%. The state-owned BSNL and MTNL continue to dominate the market, holding first and second place in terms of Internet subscribers and a massive 70% of the total subscriber base. Cybercafés have certainly been playing a major role in fuelling the development of Internet in India. About half of the total Internet subscriber base finally had broadband access coming into 2010. Despite this relatively high proportion, development of broadband Internet in India remains particularly slow, to the deep consternation of the government. This report also takes a look at the Internet market in India as the country moves slowly towards its online objectives.
