India can have 500 mn internet users by 2012: MAIT

India could have 500 million internet users, 100 million broadband connections and 100 million connected devices by 2012, provided infrastructural bottlenecks are removed and 3G and Wi Max networks are rolled out early, industry body representing the IT hardware MAIT today said.

"MAIT has set for itself an ambitious target--Goal 511-- for achieving 500 million internet user, 100 million broadband connection and 100 million connected devices by 2012.

"This calls for strengthening of the national IT infrastructure along with the physical infrastructure on a priority basis," MAIT Executive Director Vinnie Mehta told reporters here while releasing the IT industry performance review for 2008-09.

At present, there are 60 million internet users, three million broadband subscribers and about 1-2 million connected devices in the country.

To achieve the target, Mehta said, "We need early roll-out of 3G and Wi-Max networks. These will not only enable consumption of front-end devices and other back-end devices, but will also create a new economic paradigm through various applications, services."

Manufacturers' Association for Information Technology (MAIT) is the apex body representing India's IT hardware.