The growth and development of information and communication technologies (ICTs) has led to their wide diffusion and application, thus increasing their economic and social impact. The OECD undertakes a wide range of activities aimed at improving our understanding of how ICTs contribute to sustainable economic growth and social well-being and their role in the shift toward knowledge-based societies.

What's new

International Mobile Roaming Charging in the OECD Area

12-Jan-2010

While the wireless industry has witnessed spectacular developments in recent years, with increasing competition in domestic markets, there is a widespread perception among many stakeholders, including some within the industry itself, that international mobile roaming service (IMRS) prices are unreasonable and inefficiently high. This report represents the first part of a two-phase OECD project on IMRS. It provides analysis on market developments and pricing in IMRS and sets out the nature of the perceived problem together with analysis on why IMRS pricing takes the form it does.

Indicators of broadband coverage

12-Jan-2010

Comparing data on broadband coverage across OECD countries still faces some challenges because of the use of different metrics across countries. This report aims at providing information on the advantages and pitfalls of existing indicators used to measure broadband coverage, considering coverage related to different types of technologies (e.g. xDSL, cable modem, FTTH/B, 3G, satellite, WiMAX). Every technology capable of providing high speed Internet access involves specific issues when measuring availability.

Smart sensor networks - technologies and applications for green growth

12-Jan-2010

Sensor networks play an important role in tackling environmental challenges. Sensor applications in smart power grids, smart buildings and smart industrial processes make significant contributions to more efficient resource use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants. This report gives an overview of sensor technologies and applications, and quantifies their environmental impacts.

OECD Science, Technology and Industry Scoreboard 2009 focuses on innovation

15-Dec-2009

What impact has the crisis had on innovation and spending on research and development? How can innovation help to solve environmental and social threats? The OECD Science, Technology and Industry Scoreboard 2009 provides the data and analysis to answer these questions.

Broadband networks supporting innovation: Can government investment be justified?

11-Dec-2009

New innovations such as smart electrical grids, tele-medicine, intelligent transportation networks, interactive learning and cloud computing will require fast communication networks to operate efficiently. Government investment in new fibre networks could be justified based on just small direct benefits in four key sectors of the economy – electricity, health, education and transportation.

Empowering E-Consumers: Strengthening Consumer Protection in the Internet Economy - An OECD Conference

from 08-Dec-2009 to 10-Dec-2009

The world of electronic commerce has evolved dramatically since 1999, when the OECD issued its first Guidelines for e-Consumer Protection. How effective are they 10 years later? What new opportunities, obstacles and risks face e-consumers? How can consumer trust be strengthened? Senior government officials from OECD and non-member economies, representatives from business, civil society, international organisations, and academics discussed these and related issues at this conference.

DSTI and global partners discuss the role of “Green ICTs” at COP15 – without leaving their offices

on 09-Dec-2009

The OECD used latest video-conferencing technology to hold an international discussion in real-time at the UN Climate Change talks in Copenhagen (COP15). The topic was: “The role of ICTs for climate change. Lead role or supporting act?”. It involved speakers in Denmark, India, Hong Kong (China), France and Japan sitting around a “virtual” table and facing each other in high definition. A filmed webcast is available.

Innovation in the Software Sector

30-Nov-2009

The software sector is innovative, but also a vital element in much of the innovation in other sectors according to this new OECD publication. Human capital is a critical factor for promotion of innovation in the software sector, and efforts to promote education and training in support of software innovation may yield benefits beyond the bounds of the sector. The book puts a spotlight on innovation across the software universe, setting out key issues and highlighting policy perspectives.

Employment in the ICT sector continues dropping

17-Nov-2009

Employment is continuing to drop in the information and communications technology (ICT) goods sector and remaining flat in most ICT services, according to a new OECD report.

Global ICT Services Sourcing Post-Crisis: Trends and Developments

from 14-Nov-2009 to 18-Nov-2009

This workshop, held in Egypt, addressed developments in international ICT services sourcing enabled by the Internet, analysed the impacts of the economic crisis, and suggested frameworks for development and supply of these services from developing countries. A webcast is available.

“Green ICT” side-event at UN Climate Change talks in Barcelona

on 05-Nov-2009

Innovation in ICTs is key to achieving ambitious CO2 emissions reductions. At the UN Climate Change talks in Barcelona - four weeks ahead of COP15 - the OECD, ITU, GeSI and international partners discussed how ICTs can help combat global warming.

The impact of the crisis on ICT and ICT-related employment

28-Oct-2009

This paper provides an overview of short-term and long-term developments in ICT employment trends. Preliminary analysis of available indicators shows that employment is dropping in the ICT sector - notably in ICT goods sectors and mostly remaining flat in ICT services. The paper also highlights some niche ICT activities where ICT employment is increasing despite the crisis.

Mobile phone calls lowest in Finland, Netherlands and Sweden, says OECD report

11-Aug-2009

Finland, the Netherlands and Sweden have the lowest prices for mobile phone calls among OECD countries, according to the latest OECD Communications Outlook. The highest were found in Canada, Spain and the United States.

Improving measurement of links between ICT and environmental outcomes

31-Jul-2009

This report explores available statistics and data from official statistical sources and from product life cycle studies, suggests a conceptual framework for the statistical field “ICT and the environment” and makes recommendations on how to improve statistical collection.

ICT industry poised to rebound, says new OECD report

28-Jul-2009

Is the ICT industry recovering?   Global production and trade of information and communications technology goods turned up sharply in May and June – and ICTs may be among the first of crisis-stricken industries to start growing again, according to a new OECD report. After plunging 30-40% earlier this year, Asian production is now showing month-to-month improvement and China is up nearly 3%
year-on-year.

Piracy of Digital Content

28-Jul-2009

This new book covers the piracy of content, such as music, films and software that does not involve the use of physical media; in other words essentially piracy over the Internet. The study highlights the unique market characteristics of digital piracy where large number of suppliers are willing to provide pirated content at virtually zero price. This poses new and difficult challenges to copyright owners and policy makers.

Mobile broadband: Pricing and services

08-Jul-2009

Mobile broadband growth is significant in markets where data are available. Although data is not yet easily available, this paper provides an overview of prices, speeds and data caps of mobile broadband services.

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Broadband Statistics

Now updated with data through June 2009

OECD Broadband Portal

Editor's Choice

The most recent comparable data on communication sector performance.

OECD Communications Outlook 2009