Briefing paper: indicators for measuring ICT access

Abstract

Evidence on Demand was requested to support DFID in work on what the post MDG framework might look like. This brief report was prepared to consider the data availability and measurability of indicators for a proposed target to enable everybody to have access to telecommunications. The report considered existing indicators used by the United Nations, and whilst their value was recognised, revisions were proposed to reflect technological change and a shift towards demand-side statistics. With advances in technology and increasing competition and investment by the private sector, the report concludes that infrastructure is becoming less of a barrier to access and in the future the price of services and user devices and digital literacy are likely to be the main barriers to expanded ICT access