The Importance Of Information And Communication Technologies

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Information and communication technologies (ICTs) are potentially important enablers for wellbeing of countries. ICT provides leapfrogging possibilities and new opportunities for growth of developing countries. For example, 10% increase in high speed Internet connections results in 1.3% economic growth (World Bank, 2013). ICT importance was also recognized in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals. The United Nations Millennium Development Goals uphold the principle of human dignity, equality and equity at global level. The goal emphasizes on the importance of ICTs for improvement of social infrastructure of the country. ICTs provide access to much needed basic services to population (MDG Gap Task force Report, 2009). The ultimate …show more content…

Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have been developed extensively over the past decades and there has been a massive increase in its usage. However, there are significant differences in adoption and handling of ICT. Transmission of information and communication technologies is a global phenomenon. In spite of rapid globalization, there are substantial differences among nations in terms of adoption and handling of new technologies. In the last decade, we have witnessed a quick rate of change of ICT. Although this change has happened on a global scale, there are significant differences between countries in terms of how far they are and how fast they have adopted new information and technologies. “ICT impacts can arise only if ICTs are widely used by all key actors—individuals, businesses, and governments” (Global Information Technology Report, 2014). The Berkeley group also identifies three pillars; user, businesses and government of the economy (Berkeley Research Group, 2011). According to economic terminology, the difference in the adoption rates depends on the demand factors, supply factors and regulatory or institutional factors. Demand factors are like net benefits accrued to a potential adopter. Supply factors are, for example, how big and how fast technical improvements are in new technology. Regulatory and Institutional factors are related to government actions that foster or hinder the adoption of a particular technology. Therefore, the government role is important in effective adoption of Information and communication technology in the country. Government can support and improve the national adoption capacity for ICT. This requires government to do actions to gear towards the promotion of ICT

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