Information and Communications Technology,
which is often used in its abbreviated form ICT, is an extended term for Information Technology (IT). ICT
focuses on the role of combined
communication and the incorporation of telecommunications, computers and
required enterprise software, middleware, audio-videos
devices and systems and storage, which enable users to access, view, manipulate,
store and send information.
The term ICT is frequently used
to refer to the integration of telephone networks and audio-visual systems with
computer networks. Most of the time, this is done through a single cabling or
link system. Many businesses and call
center service providers are
incorporating ICT and leveraging economic incentives by merging the telephone
network and the computer network system. They save money by eliminating the
telephone network.
ICT is a relatively new concept and is in its evolving phase; therefore,
it does not have a standard definition as the theories, approaches and
applications involved in ICT are constantly evolving. The scope of ICT includes
any and all products that permit accessing, storage, retrieval, manipulation
and transmission of information in a digital form, for example, devices like
computer, digital television, smart phones etc. The term “ICT” is often spoken
about in particular contexts, such as ICT in education, health care, hotels or
libraries.
The importance of ICT lies in its ability to allow greater access to
information and communication to people. It is a wide accepted fact that unless
areas that lag behind technology wise are given a chance to catch up, the ever increasing
technological advances in developed areas will only serve to worsen the
prevailing economic gap between technological “have” and “have not” areas. That’s
why, to bridge this gap, many countries across the globe are establishing organizations
for the promotion of ICTs.