Cybercafes losing lure

Cybercafes continue to be the most important internet access point in India, accounting for 39 per cent of users.

However, this dominance has declining from a peak of 52 per cent in 2003, according to a joint study by IAMAI and IMRB International.

Access from home, on the other hand, has risen from 23 per cent in 2003 to 31 per cent in 2006. The study also reveals that access from schools and colleges remains insignificant at 6 per cent.

"This remains a major cause for concern since internet access through schools and colleges not only creates the next generation of users but also goes a long way in reducing the digital and hence socio-economic divide," the study notes.

The demographic break-up of the data reveals that 53 per cent of school children and 53 per cent of college students access the internet from cybercafes, followed by 47 per cent of non-working women.

Non-working women, significantly, account for the highest percentage of access from homes (47%), followed by older men (39%). Access from offices is dominated by older men and working women (41% and 38% respectively).