Measuring the Information Society-The ICT Development Index

'Measuring the Information Society-The ICT Development Index' is the 2009 edition of the new International Telecommunication Union (ITU) ICT Development Index (IDI). The Index features ICT use  in more than 150 countries worldwide and compares progress made between 2002 and 2007. It combines 11 indicators into a single measure that can be used as a benchmarking tool at the country, regional, and global levels. The Philippines is ranked 91 out of 154 countries, with an IDI of 2.63 in 2007. 

The Report indicates that there has been significant progress on ICT access, with all countries showing improved ICT levels during the past five years. ICT access includes fixed and mobile telephony, Internet bandwidth, and households with computers and Internet. On the other hand, ICT use, which includes the number of Internet users, and fixed and mobile broadband, their progress has been slower. Broadband technology, according to the report, still has to take off in many countries. Countries with low ICT levels are primarily from the developing world. The report may be downloaded at the ITU website.