77% of businesses relate competitiveness to broadband network

Study showed that a strong Internet network and an ICT savvy workforce are crucial for a city’s competitiveness.

The results of the survey, sponsored by Siemens and conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIC), were released at the World Cities Summit in Singapore on 28 June 2010.

The “Study on How Information and Communications Technology can be used to Enable, Engage and Empower City Stakeholders of information and communications technologies for City Management” found that ICT has become the life blood of all cities.

Some 77% of businesses globally said an improved broadband network would have a significant impact on city competitiveness, making it the most important ICT feature for attracting private sector investment.

“One of the most striking findings is the fact that ICT has become a basic utility, like water and electricity, for all cities,” said Mr. Klaus Heidinger, Head of Global Center of Competence for City Management at Siemens IT Solutions and Services in Singapore.

Another significant finding is that ICT can influence the behavior of citizens and businesses towards environmental conservation by giving them more information about their usage of resources, such as energy and water.

"Globally, 74% of citizens and 61% of businesses claim they would likely change their consumption patterns if they can have more information about their own usage. However, they admitted that the right financial incentives need to be in place as well, to encourage environmentally sound behavior," a Siemens report said on Monday.

Approximately 2,800 public officials, business executives and citizens in 15 cities in 12 countries were interviewed for the survey on information and communications technologies.