Launch of the Network Readiness Report (NRI 2020) in Latin America

Online event supported by Cetic.br|NIC.br will discuss the highlights of the report tomorrow (10/27), at 2 pm. Learn how to participate!

The 2020 edition of the Network Readiness Index reveals most societies are prepared for the future. COVID-19 is accelerating digital transformation and better governance is needed to avoid global disconnection. 

On October 19, the results and rankings of the latest edition of the Network Readiness Report (NRI) were released by the Portulans Institute, a non-profit think tank based in Washington DC that replaced the World Economic Forum in 2019 to publish the annual report with rankings that assess how countries are ready to leverage information technologies, preparing for the future. In this latest edition of the NRI, 134 economies were evaluated. The title of the report is 'Accelerating digital transformation in a post-COVID global economy'. The Portulans Institute was supported by STL in conducting the NRI 2020. 

The NRI's methodological model recognizes the diffusion of digital technologies in today's networked world and, therefore, is based on four fundamental dimensions: Technology, People, Governance, and Impact. This holistic approach means that the NRI covers issues ranging from future technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), to the role of digital transformation in achieving the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

In recent years, Latin America has made much progress in ICT network readiness and digital transformation. However, the COVID-19 crisis has undeniably affected economic development and competitiveness in the region. Which economies are best positioned to maintain and improve their competitiveness and digital readiness in a post-COVID world? Which people will benefit the most? 

On October 27, 2020, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM ET, the Portulans Institute, in cooperation with UNESCO, the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee (CGI.br), and the Brazilian Network Information Center (NIC.br), is proud to host a panel with experts highlighting the progress made by Latin America in terms of network readiness and digital transformation. The activities will feature the following panelists (in alphabetical order):

● Dr. Alexandre Barbosa, Manager of the Regional Center for Studies on the Development of the Information Society, from NIC.br  (Cetic.br|NIC.br);

● Lídia Brito, Director of the UNESCO Regional Office for Science in Latin America and the Caribbean, and UNESCO Representative in Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay;

● Prof. Lourdes Casanova, Director and Senior Lecturer of Management, Gail and Roberto Cañizares, and Director of the Emerging Markets Institute at Cornell University;

● Prof. Soumitra Dutta, Professor of Management - SC Johnson College of Business, Cornell University and President, Portulans Institute;

● Diego Molano, Former Minister of Information and Communication Technologies of Colombia;

● Dr. Sebastian Rovira, Director of Economic Affairs and Head of the Innovation and New Technologies Unit, UN-ECLAC;

● Moderator of the event: Carolina Rossini, CEO of the Portulans Institute. 

Those interested in participating in the event must register here. 

Before the COVID pandemic, the main elements of a global digital transformation were already in place, both in nations and businesses. All of them have been accelerated in recent months: new practices have affected how we work, learn, trade, and interact. These new practices will not disappear in a post-COVID environment. "The COVID health crisis has shown how digital technologies can help us become better organized and resilient in facing unprecedented challenges. However, the economic and social crisis to follow has barely begun to be felt. To face the threats of mass unemployment and growing inequalities, digital transformation is now an urgent obligation," said Dr. Bruno Lanvin, co-founder of Portulans and co-author of the report. 

About the Latin American region, Dr. Lanvin added that "Latin America remains a continent with enormous potential and persistent disadvantages. Better regional cooperation is an ingredient that can help increase local readiness for the future. The adoption of digital transformation strategies across the system would also help and contribute to reducing inequalities in the region". 

In turn, Alexandre Barbosa, Manager of Cetic.br | NIC.br comments: "The NRI has become an important index for the public and private sectors, supporting the formulation of effective public policies and sectoral strategies for the advancement of the information society. It is of paramount importance that statistical data support public policy decisions on digital-related issues. I would say that, as a comprehensive assessment and action tool, the NRI provides important insights into the stage of digital transformation in each country." 

The results of this year are: 
The top 5 countries are Sweden (1), Denmark (2), Singapore (3), Netherlands (4), Switzerland (5) 

Looking at Latin America:
The top 4 regional countries are in order (with global rankings in parentheses after the country's name): (1st) Uruguay (47th), (2nd) Chile (50th), (3rd) Costa Rica (54th), (4th) Brazil (59th). 

The Uruguay is the top-performing Latin American country, with a global ranking of 47th in the NRI 2020. It shows fairly consistent performances in all the NRI pillars. One of its strengths is the high use of digital technologies among its individuals and national authorities. Among its major TIC-related challenges is enhancing the role of advanced technologies in its economic activities and increasing its engagement in future technologies. 

Not far behind is Chile, which ranks 50th in this year's index. The country has a high level of ICT use among its population, especially at the individual level, and also ICT-related governance that is among the best in the region. However, more could be done to strengthen the country's involvement in future technologies. 

Costa Rica Costa Rica is also among the top 3 Latin American economies according to the NRI, while it holds the 54th position globally. It benefits mainly from the high ICT use, skills among its citizens, and the positive role of digital technologies in society. One of the country's main weaknesses is the relatively low use of ICTs by national authorities. 

The Brazil ranks fourth regionally and 59th globally in the NRI 2020. Its main strength is related to ICT use among its people, especially in how the government uses digital technologies to engage with its citizens. Among the most urgent issues Brazil faces are expanding access to ICTs and increasing the adoption of future technologies. 

Neighboring Argentina is ranked 60th in this year's index and thus one position below Brazil. It enjoys high ICT use among its citizens, and its government is a relatively strong user of digital technologies in engaging with the population. However, more could be done to improve ICT access and increase investment in future technologies. 

More details can be seen in the report available for download, since October 19, at www.networkreadinessindex.org, where you can also find previous editions of the NRI. 

For more information:
This year's edition is accompanied by the Portulans Institute's Digital Transformation Dialogue Series - https://networkreadinessindex.org/digital-transformation-dialogues/, which interviewed high-level experts from around the world on various aspects of Digital Transformation - from the role of businesses and governments to inclusion issues and much more. Check out the high-level interview series here. 

About the Portulans Institute (PI):
Co-founded in 2019 by Prof. Soumitra Dutta, Dr. Bruno Lanvin, and with Carolina Rossini as CEO, the PI is an independent, non-partisan research organization based in Washington DC. PI's areas of expertise include technology competitiveness, innovation readiness, and global talent. The Institute's mission is:

• Develop knowledge and dialogue among communities on how people, technology, and innovation contribute to sustainable and inclusive growth.

• Inform policymakers by producing independent and rigorous metrics, data-driven research, and training activities.

• Collaborate with private sector leaders in driving a business agenda that invests in people, technology, and innovation for a common prosperous future.

• Promote events and conferences on the above issues affecting sustainable human-centered economic prosperity. 

Learn more at www.portulansinstitute.org and www.networkreadinessindex.org. 

About the Brazilian Network Information Center – NIC.br:
The Brazilian Network Information Center – NIC.br (https://www.nic.br/) is a private, non-profit civil entity, which in addition to implementing the decisions and projects of the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee, has among its attributions: coordinate domain name registration – Registro.br (https://www.registro.br/), study, respond and handle security incidents in Brazil – CERT.br (https://www.cert.br/), study and research network technologies and operations – Ceptro.br (https://www.ceptro.br/), produce indicators on information and communication technologies – Cetic.br (https://www.cetic.br/), implement and operate IX.br Traffic Exchange Points (https://ix.br/), enable the Brazilian community's participation in the global development of the Web and support the formulation of public policies – Ceweb.br (https://www.ceweb.br/), and host the W3C office in Brazil (https://www.w3c.br/). 

About the Brazilian Internet Steering Committee – CGI.br:
The Brazilian Internet Steering Committee, responsible for establishing strategic guidelines related to the use and development of the Internet in Brazil, coordinates and integrates all Internet service initiatives in the Country, promoting technical quality, innovation, and dissemination of offered services. Based on the principles of multisectorism and transparency, CGI.br represents an internationally praised democratic Internet governance model, where all sectors of society participate equally in its decisions. One of its formulations is the 10 Principles for Internet Governance and Use (https://www.cgi.br/principios). More information at https://www.cgi.br/. 

About STL:
STL is a leading integrator in the digital network industry. With over 25 years of experience in optical fiber innovations and secure 5G solutions created in India and distributed globally, STL enables the full value of connectivity by creating end-to-end technology solutions that make digital networks future-ready. STL designs and integrates digital networks for its clients, with core capabilities in Optical Interconnect, Virtualized Access Solutions, Network Software, and System Integration. STL partners with global telecommunications companies, cloud enterprises, citizen networks, and large enterprises to provide solutions for their fixed and wireless networks for current and future needs. 

Press contacts:
Portulans Institute: info@portulansinstitute.org
NIC.br: imprensanic@webershandwick.com  / imprensa@nic.br
STL: alok.chander@stl.tech 

This content was automatically translated with the support of artificial intelligence.