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Mobile subscriber penetration 120.74%
Internet user penetration 69%
Broadband subscriber penetration 14%

Source: EIU CountryData, 2006 estimates.




Italy: A different digital
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Italy: A different digital

FROM THE GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY FORUM

Italy’s route to ICT development drastically differs to the remainder of Europe, but could offer an alternative developmental model for many of the less connected European countries.

Broadband penetration is rising, now reaching 13.6% of the population it is nearly the EU average* according to the newest EU ICT report.**  Italy has 270,000 fibre connections, 1/3 of the EU total, because without the availability of cable TV, installation of devote DSL connections allow infrastructure to profit from the latest innovations.  Despite leapfrogging, connectivity growth is slow, leaving use of eCommerce and eBusiness processes below average.

Internet use, from the most basic to complex services is severely low, but Italy is the leader in 3G take up. In 2005, the number of 3G subscribers was three times the EU average. The resultant mobile phone content market is thriving, particularly for music downloads.  Further development of mobile connectivity could lead to convergence with the internet industry. 

Surprising for the low enterprise and household connectivity, ICT specialist and user skills are near the EU average.  Schools have a low number of connected PCs, but access to broadband and in-class use of the internet is standard for the EU.  - Kenzie Burchell

i2010 Annual Report: Italy

Broadband

2004

2005

2006

Rank

Total DSL coverage (as % of total population)

85.0

87.0

 

16

DSL coverage in rural areas (as % of total population)

 

44.6

 

19

Broadband penetration (as % of population)

6.7

10.0

13.6

13

DSL penetration (as % of population)

6.2

9.4

13.1

10

Predominant download speed

 

0.5-1 Mbps

 

 

Households having broadband (as % of those having access to the internet at home)

 

33.6

40.5

25

% of enterprises with broadband access

23.3

56.7

69.6

15

Number of 3G subscribers per 100 inhabitants

 

15.3

 

2

Digital Television in households

 

38.7

 

5

Music: number of single downloads per 100 inhabitants

 

5.5

 

13

Internet Usage

 

 

 

 

% population who are regular internet users

25.7

28.3

30.8

25

Take up of internet services (as % of population)

 

 

 

 

Sending emails

 

26.5

29.1

23

Looking for information about goods and services

 

21.2

23.2

26

Internet telephoning or videoconferencing

 

2.2

3.3

27

Playing/downloading games and music

 

10.4

10.5

28

Listening to the web radio/watching web tv

 

4.6

5.3

27

Reading online newspapers/magazines

 

12.8

12.8

24

Internet banking

 

7.6

8.9

24

Places of access

 

 

 

 

% at home

21.3

24.2

26.6

22

% at work

14.6

15.9

16.7

23

% at educational place

4.0

3.8

4.9

25

% at PIAP

6.0

3.7

4.9

16

eGovernment Indicators

 

 

 

 

% basic public services for citizens fully available online

27.3

 

36.4

13

% basic public services for enterprises fully available online

87.5

 

87.5

3

% of population using e-Government services

   of which for returning filled in forms

 

14

4

16

5

20

19

% of enterprises using e-Government services

   of which for returning filled in forms

65

35

73

29

87

49

4

15

ICT in schools

 

 

 

 

Number of computers connected per 100 pupils

 

 

6.5

21

% of schools with broadband access

 

 

69.0

17

% of teachers having used the computer in class during the last 12 months

 

 

72.4

14

e-Commerce

 

 

 

 

E-commerce as % of total turnover of enterprises

3.4

2.1

2.0

20

% enterprises receiving internet orders

8.7

3.3

3.3

24

% enterprises purchasing on the internet

13.8

19.2

27.1

12

e-business. % enterprises:

 

 

 

 

with integrated internal business processes

33.1

47.7

46.5

6

with integrated external business processes

 

 

 

 

Security: % enterprises using Secure servers

54.7

30.3

39.3

13

% using digital signatures for authentication

10.5

8.8

11.5

12

Employment and Skills

 

 

 

 

% employees using computers connected to the Internet

21.5

24.8

28.2

20

% of persons employed with ICT user skills.

17.6

17.6

19.0

11

% of persons employed with ICT specialist skills

2.8

2.9

2.7

18

Indicators on growth of ICT sector and R&D

 

 

 

 

ICT sector share of total GDP

 

 

 

15

ICT sector share of total employment

 

 

 

15

ICT sector growth (constant prices).

 

 

 

15

R&D expenditure in ICT by the business sector, as % of GDP

 

 

 

11

===    as % of total R&D expenditure

 

 

 

8

*"i2010 annual report 2007, European Commission"

**The average refers to the 2005 EU average, excluding Romania and Bulgaria. The i2010 report assessed the 27 EU members plus Norway and Iceland.

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SOURCE:  The Economist Intelligence Unit




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