Information and Communications Technology (ICT) is a term used to describe the integration of telecommunications and computers, emphasizing the role of unified communications. It is an umbrella term that includes any communication device, such as radio, television, cell phones, computer and network hardware, satellite systems, and more, as well as the various services and appliances that come with them, such as video conferencing and distance learning. ICT also includes analog technology, such as paper communication, and any mode that transmits communication.
ICT is a broad subject that covers any product that will store, retrieve, manipulate, transmit, or receive information electronically in a digital form. This includes personal computers, smartphones, digital television, email, robots, and more. Although there is no single, universal definition of ICT, it generally represents a broader, more comprehensive list of all components related to computer and digital technologies than IT (information technology) .
ICT is used in various fields, including business processes, scientific research, teaching and learning, and more. It is also used to refer to the convergence of media technology such as audio-visual and telephone networks with computer networks, by means of a unified system of cabling or link system. The concepts, methods, and tools involved in ICT are steadily evolving on an almost daily basis.
To define professional skill levels for its ICT professional education products, the IEEE Computer Society has adopted the Skills Framework for the Information Age (SFIA) . The value of ICT strategies as a means of bridging the digital divide and as a powerful tool for economic and social development around the world should not be underestimated in agricultural and other fields.
