'Sophisticated' UK sprints ahead in ICT race

And we slurp tea with our little finger curled in mid air

By Tim Richardson • Get more from this author

Posted in Financial News, 8th November 2004 16:13 GMT

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The Government is bragging about the state of the "e-nation" after claiming that UK businesses are now among the "most sophisticated users of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the world".

An International Benchmarking Study for the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) by consultants Booz Allen Hamilton found that the UK is the third most sophisticated user of IT behind Sweden and Ireland.

Apparently, the UK is sophisticated because of increasing broadband use, adopting new technologies such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and dealing online with punters and suppliers.

Said part-time ecommerce minister Mike O'Brien: "It is great to see that UK businesses are sprinting forward in the deployment of ICT. The increase in the proportion of business connected by broadband shows that UK companies are embracing the opportunities that ICT can bring. It is particularly encouraging to see that small businesses are beginning to narrow the digital divide that appeared to have opened up in recent years."

The report promotes the message that the effective use of ICT can "bring real improvements in business performance for all businesses, including the smallest". Which is nice. ®