Information and communication technology (ICT) is the broad range of computing and telecommunications tools, systems, and resources used to create, process, store, transmit, and exchange information. It includes computers and software, but also the networks and services that connect people and devices.
What does ICT mean in simple terms?
ICT is technology for handling information and communicating it. Techopedia describes it as computing and telecommunication technologies, systems, and tools that support the creation, collection, processing, transmission, and storage of information (Techopedia’s ICT definition). The International Telecommunication Union (ITU), in a guide for statistical reporting, defines ICT as technological tools and resources used to transmit, store, create, share, or exchange information (ITU Handbook for the Collection of Administrative Data on Telecommunications/ICT).
Put simply, ICT includes both the tools that work with information and the communication systems that move it between people, organizations, and devices.
What counts as ICT?
ICT is not limited to computers. It can include devices, software, networks, and communication services. For example, a smartphone combines computing with calling, messaging, internet access, and applications.
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The ITU’s statistical-reporting guide lists a practical range of ICT goods and services:
- Computers and storage devices
- Internet services, including websites, blogs, and email
- Live broadcasting, such as radio, television, and webcasting
- Recorded broadcasting, including podcasts and audio or video players
- Fixed, mobile, and satellite telephony, as well as video-conferencing
This is a scope used for statistical reporting, not a universal or exhaustive list of every technology that could be called ICT.
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What is the difference between ICT and IT?
IT usually focuses on computing and information systems. ICT commonly has a wider scope because it also emphasizes communication technologies and services. Techopedia describes IT as a subset of ICT in some contexts, while noting that terminology varies by country, industry, and organization; some use the terms interchangeably.
| Comparison | IT | ICT |
|---|---|---|
| Typical scope | Computing systems used to process, store, and manage information | Computing plus the communications technologies and services used to transmit and exchange information |
| Examples | Software, computers, and data systems | Those computing tools, plus networks, telephony, and broadcasting |
| How the term is used | May be used distinctly or interchangeably with ICT, depending on the organization | Often highlights the connection between computing and communications; usage varies |
A useful rule of thumb is that IT handles information through computing systems, while ICT also draws attention to how information travels between people and devices.
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What is an example of ICT in everyday life?
A smartphone is a straightforward example: it processes information with computing hardware and software, connects to the internet over a communications network, and supports voice calls, messages, and online services. A video call is another example of ICT in action: devices and software handle audio and video while networks carry them between participants.
What is ICT used for?
ICT supports access to information, communication, collaboration, and digital services. Its uses span several areas:
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- Business: communicating with colleagues and customers, sharing information, and using digital services.
- Education: accessing learning materials, communicating with teachers and students, and supporting remote or collaborative learning.
- Healthcare: enabling digital communication and information services used by patients and health professionals.
- Entertainment: distributing and accessing broadcast, recorded, and online media.
UNESCO describes ICT as tools and platforms that facilitate information exchange among individuals and groups, and notes that effective, accessible ICT can support inclusive digital transformation (UNESCO: ICT). Technology alone does not guarantee inclusion: access, affordability, skills, and governance all affect who can benefit.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why does access to ICT matter?
Connectivity figures show both ICT’s reach and the remaining access gap. The ITU estimated that 5.5 billion people, or 68% of the global population, were online in 2024, while 2.6 billion people, or 32%, remained offline (ITU Facts and Figures 2024). The ITU also estimated internet use at 93% in high-income countries and 27% in low-income countries that year (ITU Facts and Figures 2024).
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These are 2024 estimates, not measurements for 2026. They illustrate why having communication technology available does not necessarily mean everyone can access or use it. In a 27 November 2024 press release, ITU Secretary-General Doreen Bogdan-Martin said: “Stark gaps in critical connectivity indicators are cutting off the most vulnerable people from online access to information, education and employment opportunities.” (ITU press release, 27 November 2024)
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