Abstract
The role and contribution of ICT is changing rapidly. Reviewing new trends such as convergence, cloud computing and open source, this chapter stresses the potential for much enhanced gains ahead, but also underlines the critical role played by non-technological factors. Despite their tremendous progress with regard to ICT, the absence of effective cross-border collaboration among the GCC member states, and also across the Middle East, in this area as well as more generally in regard to science, technology and innovation, represents a serious drawback for the region. Fulfilling the potential ahead will require the active involvement of local, national and regional actors from all parts of society in the development of a viable digital cooperation strategy.
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Notes
- 1.
ICT include computer hardware, software and services, a host of telecommunications functions such as wired (or “wireline”), wireless, satellite products and so on.
- 2.
While there is no universal definition of convergence, it is generally understood to mean the ability of different networks to carry similar kinds of services (for example, voice-over-internet-protocol (IP) or over circuit-switched networks, video-over-cable television or asynchronous digital subscriber line (ADSL) or, alternatively, the ability to provide a range of services over a single network, such as the so-called “triple play”.
- 3.
According to the Kuwait Financial Center, market expenditures in Saudi Arabia are expected to reach $90 billion by 2012.
- 4.
A stricter definition might be the logical computational resources (data, software) made accessible via a computer network (through WAN or the internet, etc.), rather than from a local computer. Data are stored on server farms generally located in the country of the service provider.
- 5.
The first Digital Assembly took place on 16 and 17 June 2011.
- 6.
From the speech by Viviane Reding, Vice-President of the European Commission responsible for Justice, Fundamental Rights and Citizenship, entitled Building Citizen’s Rights into the Single Market, delivered at the 2nd Consumer Rights Forum 2010, Brussels, on 2 June 2010, http://ec.europa.eu/commission_2010-2014/reding/pdf/speeches/consumers_en.pdf.
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Toporkoff, S. (2013). ICT Convergence and Europe’s Digital Agenda 2010–2020. In: Andersson, T., Djeflat, A. (eds) The Real Issues of the Middle East and the Arab Spring. Innovation, Technology, and Knowledge Management. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5248-5_14
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-5248-5_14
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