Software and information technology services grew by 5.9% in 2006, spearheading a sector that directly and indirectly accounted for half of the EU's overall economic growth in 2006.
The Commission's report looked at a number of lead technologies, on a country-by-country basis, to identify the strengths and weaknesses of Europe's ICT industry.
- Broadband penetration: Within the first ten months of the year, more than 20 million broadband lines were deployed in the EU. Denmark, the Netherlands, Finland, Sweden, the UK and Belgium all have higher rates than the US and Japan.
- ICT deployment in schools: Denmark scores best.
- e-Skills: The UK and Sweden are in the lead.
- ICT research: Finland does best (relative to total R&D expenditure by businesses).
- Public internet access points: Finland has the highest number.
- Third generation (3G) mobile phone penetration: Italy leads.
- Digital TV: The UK is leading.
- High-speed glass-fibre networks: Italy in the lead.
The growth is mainly induced by companies finally jumping on the 'broadband train' and adopting more sophisitcated IT solutions for their business processes in significant numbers.
Still, when looking at the impact of ICT on non-ICT sectors, the report is less positive, stating clearly that "consumers are currently driving convergence". It goes on to say that "the recent upsurge in the software market indicates that businesses are also adopting new and more mature eBusiness solutions, which will make them ready to benefit from convergence. However, the take-up of ICT by the business sector remains limited, in particular to large companies."
