User talk:Art caande

Information and communication technology or (ICT) is extensional term for information technology (IT) that stresses the role of unified communications[1] and the integration of telecommunications (telephone lines and wireless signals), computers as well as necessary enterprise software, middleware, storage, and audio-visual systems, which enable users to access, store, transmit, and manipulate information.[2]

The term ICT is also used to refer to the convergence of audio-visual and telephone networks with computer networks through a single cabling or link system. There are large economic incentives (huge cost savings due to elimination of the telephone network) to merge the telephone network with the computer network system using a single unified system of cabling, signal distribution and management.

ICT is a broad subject and the concepts are evolving.[3] The term covers any product that will store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit or receive information electronically in a digital form, e.g. personal computers, digital television, email, robots. For clarity, Zuppo provided an ICT hierarchy where all levels of the hierarchy "contain some degree of commonality in that they are related to technologies that facilitate the transfer of information and various types of electronically mediated communications".[4] Skills Framework for the Information Age is one of many models for describing and managing competencies for ICT professionals for the 21st century.[5]

Contents 1 Etymology 2 Monetization 3 Technological capacity 4 ICT sector in the OECD 5 ICT Development Index 6 The WSIS process and ICT development goals 7 In education 7.1 Developing countries 7.1.1 Africa 8 Today 9 See also 10 References 11 Further reading