Locally developed Apps gaining popularity

Locally developed Apps published in the local language are gaining in popularity, indicating a rising home grown demand while most of them target the general public with news, entertainment and practical information; there are also apps supporting social and community development. United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Information Economy Report 2012 stated Rising demand among Android phone users is leading domestic firms, such as newspapers, travel agencies, sports ventures to develop new apps.

Low cost phones combined with broadband packages are contributing rapid growth in Smartphone penetration, especially those running on Android. The software industry has contributed expertise, such as eSriLanka Programme and the School Net project. Various programmes promoting e-government and digital literacy are also indirectly stimulating local demand for software, with opportunities for the industry to provide tailored solutions. The demand for software is partly curbed by relatively low level of ICT use , with household penetration at 12.5 percent in 2009/2010. Moreover, In 2011, there were only about two fixed broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants. By contrast, mobile broadband is experiencing rapid growth with five licensed mobile operators competing in the market.

some 70 percent of the population has a mobile phone and almost half use their handset to access the internet.

The demand for software applications in Sri Lanka has increased due to increased ICT use among youth. According to report, there were about 1.3 million Facebook accounts in last year in Sri Lanka. In addition, global websites such as Facebook, Google, You Tube and Wikipedia have the greatest number of visits.

There are also opportunities in the mobile apps area where a thriving developer community is emerging. In 2008, Sri Lanka featured among the global top ten countries in the Google summer of Code.

Sri Lanka has witnessed a rapid growth in terms of software production during the past decade and the country has a export oriented software industry in the world.

The report also mentions that Sri Lanka is amongst the developing countries with the lowest level of software spending relation to both GDP and overall spending of ICT.

However, today new opportunities are emerging in the domestic market as the move from a PC driven software culture to one linked to mobile phones, broadband and smart devices is certain new demand for applications. Software industry is among most progressive growth areas in Sri Lankas and it is more closely aligned with the Indian situation.