Information and communication technology
Information and communication technology (ICT) underpins all industry sectors, enabling businesses to operate globally, consumers to access a wide range of information sources, products and services and governments to support and protect their citizens.
ICT encompasses electronic systems and services that gather, store, recover, maintain, manage, transmit, process, interpret, present and protect (in house and in transit) information.
In terms of Gross Value Added (GVA) in the UK, IT and telecoms contribute £30.6bn and £21.3bn respectively. Together they contribute 4.9% to total UK GVA. There are over 107,000 companies in the IT and Telecoms industry in the UK.
The Technology Strategy Board is engaged in a range of activities which include a strong ICT component including Knowledge Transfer Networks (KTNs) in Grid Computing, Digital Communications and Cyber Security; Innovation Platforms in Intelligent Transport Systems and Services, Network Security and Assisted Living, and the new creative industries key application area.
Engineering end-to-end ICT solutions is not merely a matter of combining appropriate components. There are significant challenges in configuring systems with appropriate attributes such as security, dependability and quality of service.
Innovations are required at the component, system and infrastructure levels, in hardware and software, and at the interface between technology and people to enable the development of effective end-to-end ICT-based solutions.
The key technology area of ICT focuses on the software components of ICT systems as well as their alignment with people and processes. The Electronics, Photonics and Electrical Systems (EPES) key technology area covers the hardware components of ICT as well as topics such as lighting which are outside the scope of ICT.
Together, these two key technology areas will support innovation to ensure that end-to-end ICT systems are developed, integrated and exploited. The Gathering Data in Complex Environments collaborative research and development competition is an example of a joint initiative between the two key technology areas.
There are currently several factors which will either drive ICT innovation or will threaten it. These include:
- increasing convergence,
- increasing volumes of data and information,
- increasing hardware capabilities,
- need for environmental sustainability,
- gaps in the ICT skills pipeline,
- broadband access, and
- user innovation.
Key markets for ICT include:
- transformational Government,
- personalised healthcare,
- intelligent transport systems,
- creative industries,
- defence,
- security,
- financial services,
- retail,
- manufacturing, and.
- disaster mitigation.