A
recent study conducted by Huawei India in partnership with Ernst &
Young has found that 700 million people across the world do not have
access to broadband. Several factors such as lack of awareness, cost
barriers and lack of relevant content in rural areas is believed to have
contributed for this mammoth figure.
The
report is titled as “Connected Possibilities; Innovation, Integration
and Inclusiveness”. The study revealed that only 5% of the broadband connections are established in the rural areas in comparison to 31% of total mobile phones.
The
report also revealed that about 75% of the total broadband subscribers
are residing in the top 30 cities in the world. It also stated that 60%
of the total users belong to top ten metros and tier-1 cities. India
fared the lowest among the broadband users in BRIC countries which
includes Brazil, Russia, China and India. Out of these countries, India
is positioned at the lowest position in terms of Internet and PC penetration.
