Internet-related
activities of the Telecommunication Data and Statistics Unit
Measuring the
Digital Divide: The
ITU is the leading international agency involved in the collection, compilation
and dissemination of statistics covering the state of the global
communication network. These
numbers are essential for measuring national, regional and global gaps.
The ITU’s telecommunication,
computer and Internet data are used by many international organizations
that do not
collect this data including the World Bank, the United Nations Development
Programme and the
United Nations. The annual World Telecommunication Development Report is
the leading industry source of comparable international statistics on the
telecommunication, computer and Internet sector. The ITU plays a leading
role in collaborating with public and private institutions to enhance the
definition and availability of Internet-related statistics. For example,
the ITU will make a presentation on Internet Indicators at the upcoming
Internet Global Summit organized by the Internet Society.
Analyzing the
Digital Divide: The
communication industry data collected and compiled by the ITU are used to
analyze developments in the global Internet economy. These findings are
disseminated through various publications such as the Challenges to the
Network: Internet for Development.
The ITU has also recently embarked upon a series
of case studies to understand in more detail the diffusion of the Internet
in countries at different stages of development. The aim of the project is
to seek to understand the factors, which accelerate or retard the
development of the Internet in different environments and, through
comparative analysis, to advise policy makers and regulatory agencies on
appropriate courses of action. A particular focus will be on the spread of
the Internet in different sectors of the economy. The ITU is also
organizing a number of regional workshops bringing together the Internet
and telecommunication communities to share experiences and strategies for
promoting Internet development. For example, the recent ITU
African Internet &Telecom Summit held in June 2000 in The Gambia,
provided a venue for over 140 participants from the region to move forward
on how to connect the continent.
Links:
For any other
information, please contact:
Michael Minges
Head,
Telecommunication Data &Statistics Unit
International
Telecommunication Union
Tel: +41 22 730
5519
Email: minges@itu.int
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