The Internet services sector in India is expected to open up 12 million new job opportunities by 2022, a report said earlier this week.
The Internet sector, that includes fintech, food technology, digital classifieds, digital advertisements, e-travel, and ticketing, presently employs only around one million people.
Currently valued at US $33.8 billion, the sector is expected to reach US $76.4 billion by 2022 in conservative estimates, according to a report released by the Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI) titled ‘Economic Impact of Internet Services in India’.
The report also expects the number of Internet users in the country to increase by 1.6 times. That is, from the current 481 million to 762 million in 2022, as a result of increasingly accessible and affordable Internet connectivity.
It also studies the socio-economic effects of digital services in terms of income generation and notes employment generated from access to Internet services will be available in three levels. The primary-level will account for direct employment generation including product design and development, and sales and marketing. Secondary-level of employment generation consists of self-employment such as sellers, cab-drivers, utility service providers and content creators on online platforms. The third level of employment generation will be by allied industries that provide field support to the Internet service providers like third-party warehouse and logistics handlers.
The number of smartphone users is also anticipated to grow 1.75 times to stand at 526 million in 2022.
Regarding the technology and business side of the Internet services, the report said that the Internet will change the way the needs, aspirations and demands of the consumers will be addressed.
The report suggests that the sector has the ability to reach US $124 billion if certain factors are realised and effectively addressed. These include forward-looking and supportive government policies and improved infrastructure for widespread Internet connectivity.
It also recommends more developed distribution networks to allow for a better reach to its customers in second and third-tier cities and the implementation of new technologies in the digital ecosystem.
In addition, developing technologies like AI and IoT will contribute significantly to the growth of the internet services industry in the country.
It was reported earlier that Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, artificial intelligence, machine learning, Blockchain, and big data, have the potential to increase the country’s rate of development. Currently, the telephone-density in India is at 93%, and nearly 500 million Indians own mobile phones.
India is the largest mobile data consuming country in the world with the most affordable data rates. Mobile data consumption has increased by thirty times over the last four years.
According to its website, the Internet and Mobile Association of India is not-for-profit organisation registered under the Societies Act, 1896. It aims to expand and enhance the online and mobile value-added services sectors. It is dedicated to presenting a unified voice of the businesses it represents to the government, investors, consumers and other stakeholders.
