Measuring the Information Society

The International Telecommunication Union (ICU) has recently released the 2011 edition of its flagship publication Measuring the Information Society. This report aims to capture and compare the level of ICT developments in 152 economies worldwide. 

The key findings of the report are:

  • continuous spreading of mobile networks in developing countries;
  • telecommunication and Internet services are globally becoming more affordable;
  • in developing countries the minimum speed broadband is inadequate for graphics-rich data-intensive applications and services, creating a new digital divide according to Mr. Brahima Sanou, Director of ITU’s Telecommunication Development Bureau;
  • targeting students may be the most effective way to increase Internet use in developing countries.

The full report (without Annex 5) is downloadable in English. The executive summary is available in Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish.

UN related information on information society