Explaining Connectedness: An Exploration of the Factors Affecting Internet Access in India

Abstract

Access to the internet can promote education, upskilling, human capital, and national and international economic outcomes. However, the household internet access rate in India in 2011 was 10.1% (Roser et al., 2015). Using data from the 2011 Indian Census, this study analyses the impact of computer access, area, literacy, and working rates alongside a gender perspective to explain district-wise household internet access. The analysis demonstrates that access to computers, area, male activity, and literacy significantly explain the internet access rates observed in Indian districts. The study concludes that socio-demographic factors influence the internet uptake and digital divide in India. The conclusion of this paper contributes to theoretical discussions of the digital divide in the modern history of India and provides implications for policy and market expansion in India.