A joint study conducted by Assocham and research firm Frost & Sullivan points out that broadband penetration in the country is unlikely to improve until cost of computers come down to Rs 10,000 per unit to become affordable to rural and semi-urban population.

In last seven years, India has provided broadband connectivity to less than 2.5 million subscribers as against the target of nine million during this year, Assocham said in a statement.

The government needs to spearhead the movement to drive broadband penetration by adopting innovative internet applications such as e-governance, e-education, agricultural services and healthcare services among others, it said.

Apart from this, service providers should also be encouraged to develop local content on the internet through the USO fund.

The chamber said service providers also need to look into various emerging technologies mainly wireless to promote the internet use. - DDNEWS India