RTR publishes extensive data on ICTs

Press release dated 19 February 2010

"The information and communications technology (ICT) sector generates annual revenues of nearly 27 billion euros, comprises some 14,000 businesses, and employs over 100,000 people in Austria. More than 70% of the Austrian population now uses the Internet," comments Georg Serentschy, managing director of RTR's Telecommunications Division, on the statistics regarding ICTs in Austria. "It was and still is one of our major concerns to present a comprehensive overview of the Austrian ICT sector, which contributes 4.4% to the country's gross domestic product and involves many aspects immediately relevant to regulation. For this purpose, we provide detailed, up-to-date information on our web site at www.rtr.at/en/komp/IKT.“

The ICT data on RTR's web site is compiled from a wide variety of sources. It includes relevant statistics on Internet use, market size, broadband penetration and other important indicators which reflect the state of ICTs in Austria, also by international comparison.

The "News" section provides examples of how other leading ICT countries are coordinating their activities and pushing implementation forward in this area. For example, Finland, Denmark and Malaysia have established national cooperation bodies, and Singapore is working consistently on its "iN2015" master plan.

"Green" telecommunications – RTR's efforts to raise awareness

In addition, a large number of studies and information on the development of Green ICT can be found at www.rtr.at/en/komp/IKT. "The ICT sector itself is responsible for 2% of CO2 emissions. By eliminating the need for transport and travel, re-using waste heat and streamlining various processes, ICTs can make a far larger contribution to reducing CO2 emissions – as much as 20% – in other industries," notes Serentschy. "At the moment, much of this savings potential has not been recognized or leveraged sufficiently. With the information on our web site, RTR has taken another step to promote awareness of this topic and to point out its enormous potential.“

RTR welcomes completion of Austrian Internet Declaration

In this context, RTR also welcomed the delivery of the Internet Declaration drafted in the course of the Austrian Internet Offensive. "The editorial team provided by RTR took in suggestions from over 400 experts and worked together with them to specify and prioritize their proposals. On that basis, we then designed and edited the Austrian Internet Declaration," Serentschy notes on RTR's role, adding that "The Internet Declaration forms an excellent basis for the coordinated implementation of future measures in the ICT field.“