Indian Internet Usage

MeCasa

I was wondering how most Indians utilize the internet. There is a lot of misinformation out there towards the percentage of Indians with broadband service and even the definition of what speed should be considered broadband

I know that I do most of my shopping for computer gear, mountain gear and even tools/materials for my business online nowadays.

Do many Indians shop online? Is there a big market for online goods from within India herself? Are Indians allowed to buy things online from other countries? And if so how is the tax paid?

Yogesh Sarkar

Department of Telecommunication of India defines broadband as 256kbps and above internet connection. While many Indians still use dialup, but the cheap internet connections being offered by cable operators (basically a LAN connection) is gaining popularity. Since for heavy internet users it turns out cheaper. DSL connection numbers are rising as well, so is the penetration of CDMA based internet connections.

As for buying things online, there is no issue as such that I know of. There is a 50% excise charge or some thing, which one has to pay if they have ordered it from another country.

As for shopping in India, I have brought a few music albums and a couple of movies online from www.indiatimes.com few years back, although at that time I paid through cash on delivery. My mom had once ordered saris online, which we again paid through cash on delivery. Another time I subscribed to a magazine through their site using my credit card.

But by and large, Indian’s are not vary comfortable with the idea of buying things online especially costly items.

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Mr. Sarcastic

There are infinite reasons why online shopping has not yet caught up in India...
1. People have internet connections, but it is a small percentage.
2. I think even fewer people have credit cards...and not all banks issue debit cards.
3. Online security is something to be seriously worried about everywhere, but in India it just maybe greater.
4. Most things in India are sold on MRP (Maximum Retail Price), so there is no point in buying things online for the same price, plus pay for shipping, and waiting.
5. Indian postal system is slow; courier expensive.
6. Most things are available in the city /neighborhood you live in...
7. It is more "entertaining" to go and buy things in person!

some of the above info. I am sure is dated, but i am sure things haven't changed in India dramatically.

Nick-H

I'd say that all that is true! I heard recently on another board, someone paid 4,000 online for something from USA, ended up paying 7,000 by the time it got to him --- duty etc. But things can be that bad in UK!

As for broadband here, it is hardly started, and the govt. owned telecoms companies are giving it out in tiny parcels. where else in the world is 256K (whether technically correct or not) considered broadband?. To me it is laughable. And then (for Rs500 a month) they stick a 1Gb monthly limit. Yes, you can buy up to 2Mb, but it is (in indian terms) very expensive. You can check out the tarrif etc here if you're interested.

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hyderabad_ki_sher

In India people who want Internet connection generally prefer Cable connections( LAN ) to Broadband.The cable connections are easily available in towns and cities without much formalities.But they are dead slow,they say they give 64 kbps( u get only 30 t0 40 kbps ).It costs something around 300rs to 400rs per month.U can get a new connection in a day.Unlimited access.


And broadband services of BSNL,Tata,Airtel are gaining poularity in cities.Compared to cable connection they have more formalities.The speeds range from 256kbps to 512kbps.And yes most of the packages are having a limit of 1 Gb or 2Gb.Usually they offer night surfing free of cost.Obviously they cost more than the Cable.

My airtel broadband costs rs.650 with taxes(256 kbps,1 gb limit,9 pm to 8 am free).

Nick-H

BSNL goes much higher than 512. 2Mb is available I think. The link I gave above will show. But I quibble!

What makes me is that the rest of the world is offerring huge bandwidth in comparison at affordable rates. I had 512 in UK for two years, but just try getting 512 there now: the basic services are 1Mb or 2Mb.

My belief is that what is available in UK should be available here for 1/10 the price, adjusting for the Indian economy and making it available to more than just middle-class-plus people. My belief is that if a person can afford a PC, they should be able to afford broadband connection.

In Japan, where oncome is high, huge bandwidth is cheap. Isn't Korea workiing on a "everybody should have it" basis?

But with current BSNL attitude, and with no real competition, my beliefs live in a land with the words "cloud" and "cuckoo" in its name

...and I don't often get this !

Here is a site for Indian internet connection and telecoms discussion

Oh, and I just switched from 256 limited (free download 2.00am to 6.00am, if you don't like sleeping) at 500Rs to 256 Unlimited at 900Rs (Heck: that's over GBP10. again!). Means I can get my BBC without worrying about the limits!

jivan

Good one there Nick, same here heavily into torrenting hence using BSNL 900 UL