Key indicators of the telecommunicationICT sector.doc

Key indicators of the telecommunication/ICT sector The fourth World Telecommunication/ICT indicators meeting (Geneva, February 2005) discussed the following key indicators. Please address any questions or comments to indicators@itu.int. ITU code Indicator Definition Fixed Telephone network 1 112 Main (fixed) telephone lines in operation A main line is a telephone line connecting the subscribers terminal equipment to the public switched network and which has a dedicated port in the telephone exchange equipment. This term is synonymous with the term main station or Direct Exchange Line (DEL) that are commonly used in telecommunication documents. It may not be the same as an access line or a subscriber. Some countries include the number of ISDN channels; if so, this should be specified in a note. Fixed wireless subscribers should also be included. 2 117 Total capacity of local public switching exchanges The total capacity of public switching exchanges corresponds to the maximum number of main lines that can be connected. This number includes, therefore, main lines already connected and main lines available for future connection, including those used for the technical operation of the exchange (test numbers). The measure should be the actual capacity of the system rather than the theoretical potential when the system is upgraded or if compression technology is employed. 3 1142 Percent of main lines connected to digital exchanges This percentage is obtained by dividing the number of main lines connected to digital telephone exchanges by the total number of main lines. This indicator does not measure the percentage of exchanges which are digital, the percentage of inter-exchange lines which are digital or the percentage of digital network termination points. Respondents should indicate whether the main lines included in the definition represent only those in operation or the total capacity. 4 116 Percent of main lines which are residential This percentage is obtain