10/29/2010 8:01:26 AM
IT news: How much is the Internet really worth??
In the words of Dr Evil, 'One MILLION dollars', er, no Dr Evi -
more like 'One hundred BILLION pounds'! Yes, that's right, well it
is according to a recent survey by Google.
The research looked at the internet's contribution to the
UK economy and was conducted by the Boston Consulting Group. If the
net was a sector in its own right, the report states that it would
be the fifth largest, equivalent to 7.2% of GDP. This figure could
rise to £174bn by 2015.
The report ranks the UK sixth in the OECD's 'e-intensity Index'
which measures the depth and reach of the internet in commerce and
society as a whole. While the headline figure in this blog is
impressive, what doesn't jump off the page is that the report shows
the UK performing poorly in terms of infrastructure. Outside of
London and the south east for example, there is lower internet
consumption.
I understand that people are nervous about online security but
how easy is it to sit on your sofa, find the product you want,
compare prices of similar products or competitor suppliers, click
to buy, and within a few days it's on your doorstep. I shall be
doing 90% of my Christmas shopping online this year, possibly much
to the displeasure of my other half who likes a mooch round the
shops! Which reminds me, there are only 57 days until Christmas - I
need to get a wiggle on.
Damian Hicklin
IT
Security & Communications Manager
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ARM