Insider Info on India

October 19, 2007 6:12 PM

I'm looking for interesting, current statistical information on India, especially regarding media technology and infrastructure.

I recently heard that India has the internet connectivity of Berkeley University, a staggering fact, if indeed it is a fact. I'd like to learn more cool factoids about this fascinating, fast developing country of 1 billion people. Thanks in advance!

posted by survivorman to society & culture (4 comments total)

Check out OECD's stats on Information and Communication Technologies

Unfortunately, India is not a member country (?) so there is little specific info neatly packaged up. But if you poke around the site, you should find bits and pieces about India here and there.
posted by KokuRyu at 8:37 PM on October 19, 2007

For straight numbers on India (or any country, really), CIA World Factbook is a pretty good go-to for information.
posted by cholly at 9:09 PM on October 19, 2007

The number of Internet users has rapidly to an estimated 18.4 million users in 2003.

Then further down in that same document (http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/profiles/India.pdf): India passed the Information Technology Act of 2000, which allows cybercafés and Internet users’ homes to be searched without warrants at any time as part of criminal investigations.
posted by cashman at 9:31 PM on October 19, 2007

Try the United Nations Statistical Yearbook. As a grad student I had to compile data for every country in the world regarding the number of computers, internet users, telephones, fax machines, cell phones, etc. and the bulk of my research was done using this resource.
posted by exacta_perfecta at 12:43 AM on October 20, 2007