Archived Newsroom • Press Release |
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Google, ITU team up to deliver free global tech stats
Dynamic visualizations and fast, easy trend
tracking brings world’s most reliable data on the global ICT sector to life
Geneva, 3 August 2012 – ITU’s highly regarded
telecommunication and information and communication technology (ICT) statistics
are now available through the Google Public Data Explorer (PDE) at
www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/statistics/explorer/index.html.
With Google PDE users can now explore and visualize ITU’s key ICT statistical
indicators from 1960 to 2011 (where data exists) for about 200 economies
worldwide. Key indicators include fixed telephone, mobile cellular, fixed
(wired) Internet, fixed (wired) broadband subscriptions and penetration, as well
as the percentage of individuals using the Internet.
ITU statistics are widely recognized as the world’s most reliable and
impartial global data on the state of the global ICT industry. They are used
extensively by leading intergovernmental agencies, financial institutions and
private sector analysts worldwide.
The Google Public Data Explorer platform enables quick search of statistics,
and helps users quickly interpret data and statistics through rich
visualizations. Using PDE, users can ‘mash up’ data using line graphs, bar
graphs, maps and bubble charts. Visualizations are dynamic, allowing users to
track trends over time. In addition, charts can easily be shared with friends or
even embedded on a website or a blog.
“Teaming up with Google Public Data Explorer will greatly expand the reach
and usability of ITU’s ICT statistics, making them more accessible and allowing
users to explore and visualize ITU’s rich datasets,” said ITU Secretary-General
Dr Hamadoun Touré. “For the first time, even non-experts will be able to quickly
and easily create compelling charts and trends analysis that will enhance their
work, and will also benefit others working to further develop the ICT sector
worldwide.”
As an example, using Google Public Data Explorer, a user could quickly find
out that mobile cellular subscriptions reached almost 6 billion by end 2011 and
visualize how this trend has developed over time, as well as in different
countries around the world; or compare Internet penetration across countries; or
learn that 30 million fixed (wired) broadband subscriptions were added in China
in 2011 (accounting for about half of total subscriptions added worldwide).
The new platform is accessible from today from the ITU’s website at:
www.itu.int/ITU-D/ict/statistics/explorer/index.html
For more information, please contact:
Susan Teltscher
Head, ICT Data and Statistics Division
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Sarah Parkes
Chief, Media Relations and Public Information
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