~21.4 million Indians use the net once a month or more, up ~21% over 2005. Add in occasional users and the total comes to ~25 million urban Indian internet users. Assuming some marginal usage in the rural areas as well, the all India penetration should be ~2.25%. 46% of regular net users access the net (non-exclusively) from a cyber café. 53% are accessing it from offices and 40% from homes. FULL ARTICLE @ JUXT CONSULT



Mark Brooks: China and India are burgeoning markets for online personals...with some significant and unique challenges. Modes of payment are right at the top of the list of challenges. Mobile phones are a preferred method. Both Shaadi and Bharat Matrimonial have opened offices which provides a means to more easily accept cash payments...along with more personalized service. The lessons they learn from these real world services could be very valuable in developing new concepts for matchmaking/personals services in the USA and Europe. Yahoo has interests in both Shaadi and Bharat Matrimonial now. Match, your move.