The World Bank Report takes an in-depth look at how ICT, and particularly broadband and mobile, are impacting economic growth in developing countries. The data section includes at-a-glance tables for 150 economies of the latest available data on ICT sector performance. Performance measures for access, affordability and applications in government and business are also introduced.
IC4D 2009: Extending Reach and Increasing Impact
Does access to the Internet promote economic growth in developing countries? How can mobile phones extend financial and health services to the poor? How do manual and e-government services compare? What opportunities does the information technology industry offer for women and youth?
The second issue of the series Information and Communication for Development "IC4D 2009: Extending Reach and Increasing Impact" takes a close look at mobile and broadband connectivity; it analyses the development impact of high-speed Internet access in developing countries and provides policy options with the opportunities and challenges of convergence. The report also presents a framework of e-government applications and discusses various country experiences with the institutional and policy arrangements for e-government and for the development of local information technology (IT) industry. The common thread running through these topics is the develompent impact of ICT.
In addition, the report presents summary tables of ICT sector indicators in 150 economies and introduces new performance measures in terms of access, affordability, and ICT adoption in government and business.
Powering Growth and Jobs through Broadband
The report Information and Communication for Development 2009: Extending Reach and Increasing Impact, finds that with 10 percent increase in high speed Internet connections, economic growth increases by 1.3 percent. New information and communications technologies (ICT) in particular are changing the way companies do business, transforming public service delivery and democratizing innnovation.
In addition, the report highlight that connectivity - whether the Internet or mobile phones- is increasingly bringing market information, financial services, health services - to remote areas, and is helping to change people's lives in unprecedented ways.
"The mobile platform is emerging as the single most powerful way to extend economic opportunities and key services to millions of people,” says Christine Zhen-Wei Qiang, World Bank economist and editor of a new Bank Group report on information technology and development.
The report other highlights are:
* Access to affordable broadband Internet and mobile phone services enables development across all levels of the economy and society;
* Governments should work with the private sector to accelerate rollout of broadband networks, and to extend access to low-income consumers;
* Information technology services industries create jobs, especially among youth;
* Modern, technology-enabled governments are more efficient, transparent and responsive.
SPEAK OUT
Join Zhen-Wei Qiang, World Bank economist and editor of a new Bank Group report on information technology and development on Tuesday, July 28 at 11 a.m. EDT to answer questions on information communications technologies.
You can submit your questions now.
