6 ways Google is transforming internet access in India
Google has just announced a range of initiatives to help Indians connect to the internet, a move that is generally supportive of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Digital India vision.
During its ‘Google for India’ event said that it was in the process of creating an ecosystem in India to widen access to the internet while ensuring that every user’s experience is enriched with relevant content.
If Google’s initiative goes to plan, by 2020, 650 million Indians will have internet access and the smartphone users will grow from 300 million in 2016 to 500 million by 2020.
In order to cement its position into India’s internet connectivity story, the search engine giant has introduced a number of different innovations, these include:
1. Indic keyboard
Google is seeking to reach 400 million local Indian language users by 2020, so it will be introducing an Indic language keyboard that will enhance access to its services
2. Continuing support for women
Last year, Google committed to improve internet access for women across India. It is hoping to achieve this through training them on internet use. In 2015, Google reached over a million Indian women across 10 states; this year it seeks to reach 300,000 more villages
3. Mobile skills programme
Google is aiming to train as many as two million Indians in mobile development. Google is working to ensure that more than 2 lakh colleges have Android course a part of their curriculum. So far 120,000 students have enrolled and Google is expecting a further 200,000 for its next semester
4. Wifi trains
In January this year, Google went into partnership with Railtel to introduce India’s first Wi-Fi enabled high speed train. By the end of this month the partnership hopes to have added the 52nd rail station to the network; it is enjoyed by over 3.5 people every month
5. Streamlined access
Google has streamlined access to Indian language sites using a 2G-like network (providing 5x faster running times and 90 percent less data usage) which has resulted in a 50 percent increase in Hindi search results. Users can also seamlessly switch between English and Hindi Google searches
6. Scheduled downloading
By enabling some apps to only operate via a Wi-Fi connection, and by enabling Google Play to be pre-loaded via W-Fi, users will be able to make the most of their speed and data
The September issue of Business Review Australia & Asia is now live.
Follow @BizRevAsia and @MrNLon on Twitter.
Business Review Asia is also on Facebook.
SOURCE: [ Business Insider ]
