Impressive Consumer Infrastructure Held Back By Poor Business Scores

China’s strong consumer connectivity performance is disguised by its overall average 2009 Scorecard ranking.  Broadband penetration and PSTN subscription rates are both very good, and this combines with excellent mobile coverage to create a strong consumer infrastructure.  Usage is not quite as even, due in part to a varying availability of public internet access points.

The control that China has over its economy creates an environment where national infrastructure is easier to roll out.  Yet this same influence has led to poor business innovation and creativity.  China’s secure server penetration is low, and so is its availability of international bandwidth.  Secondary school enrollment is good but the level of business spending on IT resources is below average, contributing to relatively weak business usage scores.  China’s E-Government ranking is high, yet the usage of online government services and spending by the Chinese government on hardware and software falls below expectations.

China Connectivity Performance by Scorecard Component