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Connectivity Scorecard 2009: Economy Relies on ICT Development

By Anita Bora, TMCnet Contributor

The Connectivity Scorecard 2009, a unique study by Professor Leonard Waverman, calls on governments to stimulate return to growth with investment in the infrastructure for the 21st century. Professor Waverman believes that the key to improving the economic situation and enhancing business productivity lies with the greater and better-focused use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT).

Commissioned by Nokia Siemens Networks and written by Professor Waverman, who is a Fellow of the London Business School, and with the consulting group LECG, the study measured the extent to which governments, businesses and consumers in 50 countries make use of connectivity technologies to enhance economic and social prosperity.

This scorecard measured usage and skills, such as literacy, the use of enterprise software and the accessibility of women to ICT. Connectivity is defined as the combination of infrastructure, complementary skills, software and informed usage that makes communications networks the key driver of productivity and economic growth.

“At a time when governments around the world are looking to jump start their economies with a variety of stimuli packages, the Connectivity Scorecard shows that every single one of them, even the United States, has plenty of room to develop their ICT infrastructure and improve the actual use of it to the benefit of both the economy and society,” said Professor Waverman.

Simon Beresford-Wylie, chief executive of Nokia (News - Alert) Siemens Networks, said, “The concept of useful connectivity is a reminder that technology alone will not solve economic or social problems, rather it is a tool that can be used to achieve those aims. Judiciously applied that tool can be extremely powerful and the Connectivity Scorecard acts as an important guide to where and how countries might apply it to achieve the best results.”

The Connectivity Scorecard 2009 has doubled the number of countries covered as compared to the 2008 study, and ranks the United States first in the group of 25 innovation-driven economies, with Malaysia leading a table of 25 resource and efficiency-driven economies.

 “The example of the United States shows very clearly that even the wealthiest and most technologically advanced countries still have a great deal to gain from further development of ICT infrastructure as well as the training and skills development to exploit those connectivity technologies to the limits of the potential,” said Ilkka Lakaniemi, head of global political dialogue and initiatives at Nokia Siemens (News - Alert) Networks.

“All over the world, government ministers are consulting with their economic advisers on how to get their economies growing again. I believe the debate about the role ICT can play in stimulating growth is one that should be joined with great urgency. I am delighted that it is already happening in many countries, I would urge others to follow suit,” said Professor Waverman.

Don’t forget to check out TMCnet’s White Paper Library, which provides a selection of in-depth information on relevant topics affecting the IP Communications industry. The library offers white papers, case studies and other documents which are free to registered users. Today’s featured white paper is Fixed Service Strategies for Mobile Network Operators, brought to you by Comverse (News - Alert).

 

Anita B. is a contributing editor for TMCnet. To read more of Anita's articles, please visit her columnist page.

Edited by Michelle Robart