What is Information and Communications Technology?

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.