In the scope of the World Telecommunication Development Conference (WTDC) taking place in Hyderabad, India, until 4 June 2010, the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) has disclosed the ''World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report 2010''. This report presents a mid-term review of progress achieved towards the establishment of a global information society by 2015, a commitment taken by Governments at the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS), held in two sessions - Geneva (2003) and Tunis (2005).
The report highlights, for example, the huge development and growth of mobile telephony, which enabled the connection of several previously remote areas, referring notwithstanding that further effort is necessary to increase Internet access – while 75% of the world population has access to television services, only 25% has Internet connection. Another target to be reinforced is the Internet connection of all health institutions. As far as schools are concerned, we face a mixed scenery: in some countries, many schools remain deprived of Internet access, while in others, such as Jordan, this access has been ensured, with 80% of connected schools, 73% of which via broadband.
Overall, the 9th edition of the report reaches the conclusion that, in spite of the important achievements of the last five years, developing countries require strong efforts to deliver on the objectives and targets by 2015. For this purpose, the document puts forward three main recommendations: to ensure that half the world’s inhabitants have broadband Internet access by 2015, to build a global society with knowledge of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) and to develop online content and applications.
Consult:
- World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report 2010 – Monitoring the WSIS Targets (A mid-term review) https://www.anacom.pt/render.jsp?contentId=1028545
Further information:
- World Telecommunication/ICT Development Report 2010 - Monitoring the WSIS Targets (A mid-term review) - Executive Summary http://www.itu.int/dms_pub/itu-d/opb/ind/D-IND-WTDR-2010-SUM-PDF-E.pdf
