There are different outstanding countries who possess the

great development/ infrastructure and ability to use ICTs to

generate economic growth, foster innovation and improve the
well-being of their citizens

Here are the five countries who are making the most of the
digital age,

1. Finland tops the rankings for the second consecutive year,

thanks to its outstanding digital infrastructure, which the Global
Information Technology Report (GITR) says is the best in the
world. With more than 90% of its population using the internet,
and with high levels of innovation, Finland is reaping the
rewards of investing heavily in ICT in the mid-1990s, which it
did in response to a financial crisis.

2. Singapore remains in second place in the NRI. Supported by

a government with a clear digital strategy, which offers an ICT
infrastructure that is relentlessly being improved, and the best
online services and highest-quality education systems in the
world, this city state has become a knowledge-intensive
economy and ICT powerhouse.

3. Sweden stays in third place, reflecting its world-class yet

affordable digital infrastructure and stable pro-business
environment, despite high tax rates. These strengths have led
to outstanding use of ICTs by individuals, businesses and
government, as well as one of the highest innovation
performances in the world, making Sweden a truly knowledge-
based society.
4. The Netherlands also retains its high ranking from the 2013
index. This service-based economy has quickly and skillfully
recognized the importance of ICTs in boosting innovation and
competitiveness. Information technology permeates all
sections of society in the Netherlands, with nearly everyone
able to access a computer and home internet connection, and a
large number of government services available online.

5. Norway, with a well-developed and affordable ICT

infrastructure, sits in fifth place in the NRI. Digital uptake is
almost universal among Norway’s population: 95% are internet
users and more than 90% have access to a personal computer
and internet connection at home. In addition, the country
benefits from a stable pro-business and pro-innovation
environment and a government that is aware of the importance
of connectivity for the economic and social development of a
geographically vast nation with a widely dispersed population.
Information and Communication Technology (ICT) has become
and will continue to be an integral part of the day-to-day life of
every Filipino across all levels of our society. Information has
always played a vital role in our history. Over the ages, people
have used it to gain a more accurate picture of their current
situation, make better decision for the future, and improve
quality of their lives. But never has information been more
accessible and more widespread than it is today.

DAVAO- In recent years the information technology (IT)

industry has helped fuel the growth of the Philippines' economy
as it continues to attract investors and at the same time
provide jobs to Filipinos. Davao City has blossomed into one of
the major players in the IT industry, the proof of which is the
continues rise of IT parks and growing number of IT companies
in the city. The IT companies in Davao City are employing
roughly around 45,000 to 50,000 individuals, home-based and
center-based, as compared to the previous estimated 21,000 a
couple of years ago. The improved employment in the IT
industry are due to the expansion of existing players in the city.
One of the reasons why more and more IT companies are
expanding or coming in is due to the improved general power
situation in Mindanao and better broadband connection. The
Globe Telecom's successful landing of the Southeast Asia (SEA)-
United States (US) submarine cable system in Barangay Talomo,
Davao City in March will definitely help the IT sector. Globe is
part of SEA-US cable system consortium that will link five that
include Manado (Indonesia), Davao (Philippines), Piti (Guam),
Oahu (Hawaii, United States), and Los Angeles (California,
United States). Globe said the $250 million project is a 14,000-
kilometer cable system that will "consist of two fiber pairs with
an initial design capacity of 20 terabits per second and will use
the latest in submarine fiber-optic technology with 100 gigabits
per second transmission equipment per pair. This new gateway,
which will be operational by the third or fourth quarter, will
improve the reliability and cost of the broadband in the city.
When the cost of broadband goes down and it is more reliable
that will be spur more locators. Aside from Globe, Smart and
PLDT has also improved its broadband services in Davao City.
This allows a resilient and better broadband services for the
companies. The availability of graduates and talents in Davao
City are also sufficient to cater to the demands and needs of
the expanding IT companies. The growth of the IT industry in
the city in recent years is going in the right direction, IT
companies are investing in Davao City because they see it as an
alternative to Metro Manila and Cebu City, which are
occasionally hit with typhoons. The online education sector is
one of the fastest growing sector of the industry with local
tutors teaching English to Chinese, Japanese, and Korean
clients. Home based IT workers, which is estimated to be
somewhere around 7,000 individuals, are also growing in the
recent years. At present, only a few IT companies in Davao City
are offering multi-lingual services like Flatworld Solutions-
Philippines, which offers Spanish voice and non-voice services.
By 2020, IT companies will be able to employ some 70,000
individuals.