Manila lags in information technology maturity

Manila lagged in the lower third of the 2014 edition of Networked Society City Index report, which ranked the Philippine capital only 33rd among 40 cities in terms of its Information and Communications Technology (ICT) maturity.

This was despite being rated as the “8th most improved” city in the same Index.

Based on the report, Manila’s ICT maturity was still “at an early stage of development and needs to be improved to fully use its ICT capability. Currently, a large share of the population lacks access to the Internet and household computer access is far below average.”

The 2014 edition of the Networked Society City Index was developed by Ericsson, a multinational provider of ICT technology and services, in collaboration with Sweco, a leading consultancy firm specializing in sustainable development. It ranked 40 cities and measured their ICT maturity in terms of leverage from ICT investments on economic, social and environmental development or the “triple bottom line” effect.

The latest edition of the index named the top five cities as Stockholm, London, Paris, Singapore and Copenhagen.

According to the Networked Society City Index, Manila’s ICT infrastructure was still considered underdeveloped, both in terms of quality and access, noting further that in Manila, the quality of both fixed broadband and mobile broadband was insufficient, while access to the Internet was below average.

“In order to improve its ICT infrastructure, the city should also strive to develop its fiber network and high-speed mobile network. There is also a large share of urban poor. High income inequality levels are, in turn, causing unequal access to ICT infrastructure,” the report stated.

In terms of ICT affordability, Manila scored low, which meant that costs related to using the Internet and mobile phones were high in relation to income. The low score in ICT affordability, according to the report, “is undeniably a reflection of the city’s early stage of economic development, ICT infrastructure and high income inequality.”

As for usage, Manila’s rating was said to fluctuate between different types of technologies. The city, the report said, had an average score when it came to the number of mobile phone subscriptions.

“However, use of tablets and smartphones is below average and household access to computers is far below average. The city also rates below average in Internet use. In comparison to many other Asian cities, a common online entry point in Manila is social networking. To improve ICT usage, the city should also develop its public and market use. Both e-governance and electronic payments are below average,” the report explained.

Despite the relatively low ICT maturity, Manila was said to show “promising improvement rates,” even as it faces several social, economic and environmental challenges, said Elie Hanna, president and country manager of Ericsson Philippines and Pacific Islands.