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A Review of the Network Readiness Index Print E-mail
Written by Divakar Goswami   
Tuesday, 19 September 2006
Article Index
A Review of the Network Readiness Index
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Readiness Component

Individual

Affordability is an important factor that often determines an individual’s readiness to use ICT services. Since convergence has made it possible for myriad services including Internet to be provided on a mobile platform like a mobile phone, it would be reasonable to include an affordability index for mobile telephony which is preferably based on a basket methodology.

Business

An important service for businesses is leased lines that are used for connecting to the Internet and for linking branch offices. Leased line prices can be a significant cost component for not only businesses but also Internet Service Providers. Under the Business Readiness subindex, adding an indicator that measures the price of a 2mbps, 2km link would significantly enhance the subindex. The indicator data could be obtained from the NRA.

Government

Currently, the Government Readiness component uses only three sub-indices. Including some additional indicators like number of PCs, telephone lines and Internet connections per employee may strengthen the components and provide a good measure of government’s readiness to work in an ICT environment and its capacity to deliver e-government services.