Report reveals dynamic development of ICT deployment in EU business sector
In spite of the continuing difficult economic situation and market conditions for business innovation and investment, the deployment of information and communication technologies (ICT) continues to show dynamic development, a new Commission report has claimed. The e-Business W@tch report is an in-depth analysis of the uptake of ICT and their application for e-business in Europe. Based on surveys that were carried out in June 2002 and February 2003, the report examines the overall deployment of ICT within 15 sectors and reveals some promising findings. The report indicates an incipient migration to broadband among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with digital subscriber line (DSL) connections increasing from 25 to 31 per cent. However, mindful of the of the eEurope 2005 Action Plan's ambitious goal of achieving widespread availability of broadband access at competitive prices, the report suggests continued monitoring of its development, particularly among SMEs. Another trend revealed by the report is a less dramatic IT skills gap for the period 2002 to 2003. Results from the survey suggest that the gap has narrowed and is even lower than in 2000, one of the boom years of the Internet and IT industry. The report speculates, however, that the skills gap is likely to rise, along with demand, once the economy starts to recover. Other items summarised in the report include the ranking of sectors according to their take-up of ICT, and the perception among companies of the impact of ICT services and electronic business on their activities. The findings presented in the report are expected to contribute to benchmarking and the assessment of how ICT diffusion can further enhance and strengthen the competitiveness of European businesses.