Information Economy 2009

The Information Economy report 2009 has been published by UNCTAD (United Nations Conference on Trade and Development). This focuses on the technology side of the information economy, but is very interesting in its global coverage e.g. the significant use of mobile communications in the developing world. This is an extract from the start of the Executive summary:

"In the context of analyzing ICTs for development, this report takes stock of recent trends with regard to extending connectivity worldwide (chapter I). Special attention is given to the challenge of providing broadband access to the Internet. Chapter II monitors developments in enhancing the use of ICTs among enterprises and chapter III looks at how international trade in ICT goods and in IT (information technology) and ICT-enabled services is evolving. As the report was prepared in the midst of the most turbulent economic times since the Great Depression, potential implications of the economic crisis are discussed in all chapters."
Go to http://www.unctad.org/Templates/webflyer.asp?docid=11915&intItemID=2068&lang=1 - for the full report free online click on Downloads

Photo by Sheila Webber: Western Park, Sheffield, October 2009