Connectivity Scorecard | Nokia Siemens Networks

FAQ

1. How does our Index differ from other ICT indexes?

The Connectivity Scorecard is an attempt to capture how “usefully connected” countries around the world really are. Like any Scorecard, ours is essentially a collection of different metrics, but our metrics encompass usage and skills as well as infrastructure. Further,we recognize that the primary driver of productivity and economic growth is the ability of businesses to use ICT effectively. Thus we give business — and those measures related to business infrastructure and usage — the weight that economic statistics suggest it should be given. And, where possible, we do this based on individual country data for each country. Likewise, we link the weight given to infrastructure metrics relative to usage and skills to economic statistics for individual countries. In this way, we make a link between Connectivity and economic performance which, we believe, is innovative and relevant.

2. Why were certain countries not included?

There were two criteria involved in the selection of countries for the first phase of the Connectivity Scorecard:

1. Ensuring that there was good data coverage for the countries included so as to minimize the problems associated with missing or extrapolated data points; and
2. Ensuring that a large proportion of the world’s population was covered by the sample

Data coverage is more of an issue for the resource and efficiency-driven economies and does restrict the scope for adding new countries to the Index. This is particularly true of business usage metrics. For the innovation-driven economies data availability is still something of an issue due to the difficulty in finding data comparable to the European Commission’s i2010 data. However, data availability is improving all the time and we expect to increase the number of countries studied in 2009.

The Scorecard currently covers all of the world’s major economies and a large share of the world’s population. In the next phase, planned for 2009, we will be including a number of additional countries, focusing specifically on improving our coverage of regions that are currently under-represented such as the Middle East and Sub-Saharan Africa.

3. Will the Connectivity Scorecard be expanded and when?

Yes, the Connectivity Scorecard will be expanded in 2009 to include additional countries. We also expect the list of indicators to change with time, some being added whilst others may become obsolete as new indicators may better support our Scorecard..

4. Why have you made this data publicly available?

We have realized that there was a gap in previous studies since they primarily concentrate on “count” information (eg. number of lines, pc’s, phones etc). As part of our vision of 5 billion people connected by 2015 we recognize that the way people use ICT is key to understanding connectivity and that we need to communicate to the industry and policy makers that it will take more than one entity to make things happen. We hope that through this study others will join in the debate and share their opinions, supporting information and insights.

5. What data is used in the Scorecard?

Please see the published list in the Connectivity Scorecard report.

6. Who was involved in designing the Connectivity Scorecard?

Based on previous ICT studies it was agreed that Professor Leonard Waverman and economic consulting firm, LECG were the best combination to devise the methodology and conduct the research for the Connectivity Scorecard. This collaboration has resulted in this first version of the Scorecard you see today and which has been well received by analysts, governmental/regulatory bodies and the ICT industry as a whole.

7. I would like to ask a question or give my input to the Connectivity Scorecard, how do I do that?

At the bottom of every page there is the opportunity to provide feedback. Please use this form to ask any questions you may have. We have a dedicated team able to respond to all questions and aim to get back to you within 24 hours. Although not obligatory, it would be helpful if you could indicate which part of the ICT industry you work in (for eg. Analyst, Government, Operator, Regulator etc.)

8. What about Privacy?

We take your privacy seriously. Therefore, unlike many other organizations we have, as far as possible, minimized the requirement for disclosure of personal details (name & email only). This website hopes to stimulate debate from Thought Leaders through to consumers of ICT to produce as accurate a Scorecard as possible. No details will ever be passed on to third parties.

9. Can I download items from the “Media” section and use these for educational purposes?

Yes, as long as you provide a link on any digital or print media you may be using referencing the Connectivity Scorecard site – http://www.connectivityscorecard.org. Where you would like to use videos and podcasts please use the feedback form to specify where these will be used.

10. I would like to use the Connectivity Scorecard at an event, who do I need to contact should I need a presenter?

Please use the feedback form to indicate the details of the event. It is advisable to make any such requests as early as possible given the high demand for presenters.

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