Weak Consumer Scores Impact German Connectivity Rating

Germany’s business performance on the 2009 Connectivity Scorecard is consistently near the upper tier of the countries sampled.  Leading the way are good scores in ICT user skills, the penetration of PCs and business spending on IT.  Companies also derive a healthy share of corporate data revenue from advanced forms of connectivity.  Germany’s e-government ranking is favorable despite low spending on IT resources and equipment.

Unfortunately, its unimpressive consumer scores hold Germany back.  Broadband penetration is average but 3G penetration falls behind many other European nations.  Germans also display low rates of internet and SMS usage compared to the survey leaders, with mobile voice services seeing only average use.  A conservative attitude amongst citizens with regards to the adoption of new technology could explain these numbers, along with reluctant investment in the ICT sector compared to other areas of the German economy.

Germany Connectivity Performance by Scorecard Component