Ireland ranked 18th globally for intelligent connectivity, according to Huawei Global Connectivity Index 2019 Report

Ireland is amongst the ‘frontrunners’ globally for intelligent connectivity and is ranked 18th out of 79 countries researched, according to a new Huawei index.

Huawei has released its sixth annual Global Connectivity Index (GCI) and Ireland is one of the countries recognized as a leading nation when it comes to ICT investment, ICT maturity, and digital economic performance.

Ireland ranks ahead of countries like Spain (22nd), China (26th) and Italy (27th). With a score of 67 Ireland, most of Ireland’s scores are above the global average, particularly those relating to demand, experience and potential:

— Demand for connectivity of users and activities relating to digital transformation initiatives like app downloads, smartphone penetration, eCommerce transactions, fixed broadband subscriptions, mobile broadband subscriptions and AI-robotics.
— Services experienced by the end-user in today’s digital economy like broadband download speed, eGovernment services, internet participation, IoT analytics and data creation.
— Potential for the future development of the digital economy like R&D expenditure, ICT patents, cloud potential, AI potential and ICT influencing new business models.

GCI 2019 highlights AI’s role as one of four key enablers that drive “Intelligent Connectivity”, alongside Broadband, Cloud, and the Internet of Things (IoT). All four have the potential to be significant catalysts for economic growth.

As AI-infused Intelligent Connectivity begins to have a meaningful impact on the digital economy, a key finding of Huawei’s GCI 2019 is that countries with GCI scores over 65 and have made continuous investment in Intelligent Connectivity can expect it to boost GDP by more than 1%. At the same time, success in the era of intelligence depends on the ability to collaborate on a global scale.

It is not just developed economies that can benefit from Intelligent Connectivity. GCI 2019 finds that nations at every level of digital development can access the “upside potential of AI” as a GDP booster when it is deployed by industries and organizations.

Whatever a country’s level of digital development, policymakers need to look objectively at the strengths of their national economy and determine how they can fit into and profit from the Intelligent Connectivity ecosystem.

“We’re now seeing that the fusion of 5G, AI, and cloud has redefined connectivity,” said Kevin Zhang, the CMO of Huawei ICT Infrastructure. “Intelligent Connectivity is speeding up the development of the digital economy, so governments and industry leaders in Starter nations and Adopter nations should embrace new technologies, prioritize work on national-level digital transformation plans, and benefit from global collaboration. Meanwhile, we’ve realized that Intelligent Connectivity may be the answer to many of the societies’ most complicated and deeply rooted challenges, including climate change and the wealth gap between rich and poor. Huawei is committed to increasing efforts to make technology, applications, and skills accessible to everyone, and bringing Intelligent Connectivity’s benefits to every person, home and organization.”

The GCI is designed to provide actionable insights for how policymakers and economic stakeholders can foster greater success in the digital economy. The 79 countries assessed by GCI 2019 account for 95 per cent of global GDP and 84 per cent of the world’s population.

For more on the Global Connectivity Index 2019, visit: http://www.huawei.com/minisite/gci/en/