The recent eLAC Final Report on the progress of ICT Development in the Caribbean Information society reaffirms the dearth of reliable quantitative and qualitative data within the region.  “ICT indicators, particularly on usage and impact of ICT on human and economic development are not readily available”.  Among other effects, this hinders the capability of policy makers to make the transformational changes which are required to promote greater digital opportunity within the Caribbean and between the Caribbean and the rest of the world. Under the Research Theme, ICT Indicators in the Caribbean, the Region will develop an up to date set of core ICT indicators, including measures of mobile and broadband accessibility and usage.

The rise of ICT’s as an important enabler of social and economic development requires that Governments formulate polices which create the frameworks for countries to make use of the various digital opportunities which present themselves.  To ensure effectiveness, ICT statistical indicators are necessary to plan, monitor and evaluate these policies.  Among the typical types of ICT indicators identified by UNCTAD required for effective response to the varying needs of policy makers and other data users are:

  • “ICT readiness indicators (i.e. on the readiness of a country’s infrastructure, society, economy and business sector to undertake ICT-related activities) are of particular interest to policymakers in countries at early stages of ICT maturity, but are likely to lose relevance or evolve as technologies become more prevalent;
  • ICT intensity indicators (i.e. on the use of ICT and the extent to which ICT-related activities are carried out by businesses and other institutional actors) are likely to be of interest to policymakers in countries where ICT is spreading;
  • Indicators on the outcomes and impacts of ICT on business activities and economic growth are likely to be of interest in countries with a relatively high level of ICT development”.

Recent consultations with policy makers in Trinidad and Tobago and Jamaica have also highlighted the need for research information which would guide policy-making on the framework required to make this a reality.  Recent research is clear on the immense possibilities for positive impact on social and economic life through the use of broadband services, for individuals, businesses and Government. 

It has been noted that countries which have made the efforts to measure ICT have been better able to assess the impact of ICT’s on their economies, benchmark their progress against other countries and calculate the level of investment required to provide households and businesses with access to different types of ICT’s.  It has also been recognized that successful deployment of applications, needs a critical mass of subscribers, given the investment required.  It is therefore crucial that there is understanding about what drives adoption, use of and future expectations of broadband and mobile technologies.