The Internet is now a fundamental infrastructure supporting the economy and is firmly in its 2nd stage of development, having evolved from a data network connecting PCs with wires to a much broader network of new portable devices from mobile phones to tablet computers. It is also on the cusp of a much larger expansion to objects that typically did not have communications capabilities: the Internet of things is projected to have more connections than the people using them. This raises many important socio-economic and political issues for stakeholders to consider, as economies and societies become increasingly inter-meshed. Supported by time series data, this publication begins with an overview of trends and highlights how the Internet sector has proven to be resilient during the recent economic crisis. It then examines the various drivers and impacts of Internet use and deployment, as well as emerging technologies, e-health, digital content, security and privacy, and reflects on a methodology for measuring the Internet economy.Table of Content :Executive Summary Introduction: Expanding connectivity and measuring the Internet economy -Expanding connectivity -Measuring the internet economy Chapter 1. ICTs, the Internet and the crisis: Macro trends -The ICT sector supporting the internet -Investing in the internet -Conclusion -Annex 1.A1. Internet intermediaries Chapter 2. Internet trends and development -Emerging technologies -Internet developments across the economy -Conclusion Chapter 3. Internet adoption and use: Households and individuals -Connectivity and access -Scope of activities -Challenges ahead: digital divides and barriers to access -Conclusion Chapter 4. Internet adoption and use: Businesses -Pervasiveness of the internet -Broadband in firms -Websites -The Internet improving business processes -ICT impacts on businesses: Perceived benefits and real impacts -Beyond perceived benefits: The impact of the Internet (ICT) on business performance and innovation -Conclusion Chapter 5. Developments in digital content -Enabling factors -Digital content sectors -Conclusion Chapter 6. ICTs for health and ageing -A broad range of health ICT initiatives -Growing public investment in health ICTs -Building broadband capacity for health ICTs -Telehealth -Electronic medical claims processing -Computerisation of general practices -Electronic prescriptions -Health information exchange -Health ICTs deliver greater convenience and closer connections with health professionals -The connected patient -The growing promise of ICTs for healthy ageing -Conclusion Chapter 7. Security and privacy -Research and development in security and privacy -Innovative products and business models -Employment and skillsas enabling factors -Conclusion Chapter 8. Government priorities and policy developments -Overview: ICT policy priorities and developments -Specific ICT policies and programmes -Conclusion -Annex 8.A1. ICT policy framework Annex: Methodological considerations