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ITU Expert Groups on Telecommunication/ICT Indicators

Role and working methods

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The ITU Secretariat established two ex​pert groups on telecommunication/ICT indicators in the 2000s to support the production of internationally comparable statistics.

The Expert Group on Telecommunication/ICT Indicators (EGTI) and the Expert Group on ICT Household Indicators (EGH) develop and update indicators and statistical standards - defining not only what to measure, but also how to measure it - to ensure consistency, international comparability and relevance of ICT statistics​. They are coordinated by the ICT Data and Analytics Division of the ITU Telecommunication Development Bureau (BDT), under the auspices of the BDT Director. 

Each year, during their annual meetings, EGTI and EGH establish thematic subgroups, including joint EGTI and EGH subgroups, to review and update existing indicators and standards and to develop new ones. The recommendations of these subgroups are presented to the subsequent annual meetings for consideration and adoption. 

The indicators and standards defined by EGTI and EGH are documented in the Handbook for the Collection of Administrative Data on Telecommunications/ICT, the Manual for Measuring ICT Access and Use by Households and Individuals, and the ICT Price Basket Statistics Manual 2025, which offer practical guidance to support implementation.

The work of EGTI and EGH forms the foundation of the data lifecycle, enabling the next phases: collection, analysis, dissemination, and use. It is the basis for producing essential data that allows policy makers to identify priorities and track progress towards universal and meaningful connectivity and targets such as the Sustainable Development Goals.

The collaborative efforts   of experts from ITU, national statistical offices, regulators, ministries, government agencies, academia, ITU, other international organizations, and industry stakeholders have been fundamental to the groups’ success.​

Both groups have kept up with rapidly evolving digital technologies and changing user behaviours. Over the years, they have developed, reviewed and refined hundreds of indicators, including those related to ICT skills, barriers to Internet use, mobile broadband, affordability of ICT services, spectrum, emerging technologies such as 5G and IoT, and e-waste. In parallel, they have retired outdated indicators, helping countries focus their limited resources on collecting data that reflects current realities and policy needs. 

For more information on EGTI and EGH, including participation, conta​ct indicators@itu.int

How to participate

Experts interested in joining the work of EGTI, EGH, or both are invited to contact the ITU Secretariat by email at indicators@itu.int​, providing their full name, organizational affiliation, and a brief description of their relevant expertise.

Following a verification of the information provided, the Secretariat will add the expert to the corresponding mailing list(s) and provide instructions to access the online discussion forum(s), where they can contribute to ongoing discussions and subgroup activities.

Please note that ITU is currently working to revamp EGTI and EGH registration process and upgrade the discussion forums to facilitate participation and improve interaction across both expert groups.
For questions regarding participation, please contact: indicators@itu.int.

Expert Group on Telecommunication/ICT Indicators (EGTI)

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The Expert Group on Telecommunication/ICT Indicators (EGTI) was established in May 2009 to support the revision of supply-side indicators (i.e. data collected from mobile network operators and Internet service providers) collected by ITU and discuss outstanding methodological issues and new indicators. EGTI is open to all ITU members and experts in the field of ICT statistics and data collection. It works through an online discussion forum and holds annual face-to-face meetings.

The terms of reference (version 2017) provide guidance on how the EGTI performs its work and delivers on its mandate. ​

Leadership
The list of current and previous chairs and vice-chairs can be consulted here​.

Upcoming event
Past events

Preparatory, information, and outcome documents for selected events are available on the meetings’ webpages, as well as through the ITU Document Centre (some documents require a TIES account to access).​

Expert Group on ICT Household Indicators (EGH)


The ITU Expert Group on ICT Household Indicators (EGH) was established​ in May 2012 to support the revision of indicators for measuring ICT access and use by households and individuals collected by ITU. EGH is open to ICT experts and statisticians familiar with data collection for these indicators. EGH works through an online discussion forum and holds annual face-to-face meetings. 

The terms of reference​ (version 2017) provide guidance on how the EGH performs its work and delivers on its mandate. 

Leadership
The list of current and previous chairs and vice-chairs can be consulted here​.

Upcoming event
Past events

Preparatory, information, and outcome documents for selected events are available on the meetings’ webpages, as well as through the ITU Document Centre (some documents require a TIES account to access).​

EGTI and EGH work programme – 2025

Relevant documents available in the ITU Document Centre (access to some documents requires TIES account):​

EGH subgroup on measuring the use of AI through household surveys

Established at the 12th meeting of EGH in September 2024, this subgroup analyses how the use of AI by individuals can be measured within the framework of household surveys. The subgroup considers measurement topics related to AI that could contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of how AI is integrated into individuals' daily lives. Such topics include, but are not limited to, awareness of AI technologies, usage patterns and purposes of using AI, privacy concerns, adoption barriers, and perceptions of AI. Concretely the subgroup is addressing the following questions:
The subgroup will make proposals to the EGH through a report that will be presented and discussed during the 13th EGH meeting in September 2025. The report will include all findings of the subgroup. Depending on the outcome of the subgroup it may also include proposals for specific survey questions that can be implemented to facilitate international comparisons.
EGTI subgroup on National Greenhouse Gas Emission Monitoring Indicators

Lack of reliable, internationally comparable data on the climate impact of the ICT sector hinders informed decision making and targeted policy and regulatory action. The subgroup, established at the 15th meeting of EGTI in September 2024, is expected to assess the feasibility of collecting data at the national level by administrations. It will outline the scope and definition of environmental indicators for the ICT sector, specifically for monitoring greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy use at the country level, covering different sub-sectors of the industry (e.g., telecom operators, data centers). It will consider existing efforts and practices to identify indicators to monitor national GHG emissions and energy use, drawing on examples of what national regulators are currently working on, and propose a harmonized measurement approach that is adaptable across diverse national contexts.
 

Joint EGTI-EGH subgroup on the ICT Development index (IDI)

In September 2023, the 14th Meeting of the ITU Expert Group on Telecommunication/ICT Indicators (EGTI) and the 11th Meeting of the ITU Expert Group on ICT Household Indicators (EGH), recognizing the need for a dedicated body to review the IDI and its methodology during the four-year validity period and to identify potential improvements ahead of a possible revision at the end of that period, agreed to establish a joint EGTI-EGH subgroup on the IDI. The subgroup’s mandate was renewed for the 2025 work period. 


​Topics on the online discussion forums of EGTI and EGH in 2025

Topics for future work raised during the annual meetings of EGTI and EGH that attract interest but do not lead to the establishment of a dedicated subgroup are addressed through the online discussion forums. Members are encouraged to contribute examples, experiences, and ideas on these topics. Insights gathered through the forums are shared and discussed at the subsequent annual meetings of EGTI and EGH.

Topics currently open: