New International Digital Connectivity Readiness Index reveals mixed performance across the G7
The report, "International Digital Connectivity Readiness Index", measures performance across both digital infrastructure — such as broadband, Gigabit, 4G, and 5G connectivity — and digital adoption, which includes metrics like digital skills, online security, access to public services, affordability, and innovation.
According to FarrPoint’s digital economics team, the UK tops the new index, with the US and Germany in shared 2nd place on the overall readiness score. Canada, Japan and France share 4th place, with Italy coming last overall. The real differences can be seen by drilling down to compare individual metrics.
This annual benchmarking report and framework allows governments and policymakers to better understand and assess their strengths and challenges in digital connectivity and make data-driven decisions to enhance their digital strategies.
This index methodology can be used to further analyse and compare performances on a more granular level i.e. regional or city level within each country, as for the UK.
A summary of the key metrics is summarised in the table below.
*Please note, the scores should not be confused with coverage percentages
Key Findings of the Report
- United Kingdom: Current leader in this index but still faces challenges The United Kingdom leads the G7, doing well in digital infrastructure and adoption, with strengths in the digital economy, online household access, and digital skills. However, it faces challenges in online wellbeing, security, and driving broader innovation.
- The United States and Germany share joint second place overall but differ on key metrics. Germany and the US are joint 2nd overall in the International DCRI.On the Infrastructure side, both perform strongly on the mobile side, however, their fixed networks especially those with Gigabit connectivity lag behind some of their advanced comparators. On the adoption side, Germany leads the G7 on digital skills, and affordability, but is facing stagnation in innovation and the digital economy. Whereas the United States excel in the digital economy, innovation, and public services, but struggling with digital skills, security, and affordability.
- Canada, France and Japan: Good advances but with areas for improvement. In joint 4th place overall are Canada, France and Japan. Canada leads in online security and wellbeing but faces challenges in business adoption and affordability. France, while making notable progress in infrastructure, continues to face challenges with innovation and affordability challenges. Japan excels in 5G and Gigabit infrastructure, however, lags on digital adoption due to affordability issues, limited digital skills, and online wellbeing concerns.
- Italy: Opportunities for growth and development. Italy ranks last in the G7 for digital connectivity, with notable gaps in infrastructure and adoption. Addressing these areas will be crucial for Italy to fully leverage digital technologies for economic growth and social inclusion.
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Contact the team
Jaynesh Patel
Jaynesh Patel
Jaynesh Patel is Head of Telecoms and Spectrum Policy, leading the Communications Infrastructure and Services Programme at techUK and overseeing the UK Spectrum Policy Forum.
Jaynesh has extensive experience in the sector, having worked for CityFibre (a full fibre broadband company) and the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) on digital infrastructure policy. Most recently Jaynesh led on policy and public affairs in the UK and Ireland for ChargePoint (an EV charging network).
Prior to this Jaynesh worked in the Cabinet Office for more than five years, including over two years at the Government Digital Service (GDS) supporting the digital transformation of UK Government.
Jaynesh has a BSc (Hons) in Economics from the London School of Economics (LSE).
- Email:
- [email protected]
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/jayneshpatel/
Josh Turpin
Josh Turpin
Josh joined techUK as a Programme Manager for Telecoms and Net Zero in August 2024.
In this role, working jointly across the techUK Telecoms and Climate Programmes, Josh is responsible for leading on telecoms infrastructure deployment and uptake and supporting innovation opportunities, as well as looking at how the tech sector can be further utilised in the UK’s decarbonisation efforts.
Prior to joining techUK, Josh’s background was in public affairs and communications, working for organisations across a diverse portfolio of sectors including defence, telecoms and infrastructure; aiding clients through stakeholder engagement, crisis communications, media outreach as well as secretariat duties.
Outside of work, Josh has a keen interest in music, painting and sailing.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2038
- LinkedIn:
- https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-turpin/
Matthew Wild
Matthew Wild
Matthew joined techUK in August 2023 as a Programme Assistant.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- 020 7331 2000
Tales Gaspar
Tales Gaspar
Tales has a background in law and economics, with previous experience in the regulation of new technologies and infrastructure.
In the UK and Europe, he offered consultancy on intellectual property rights of cellular and IoT technologies and on the regulatory procedures at the ITU as a Global Fellow at the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI).
Tales has an LL.M in Law and Business by the Getulio Vargas Foundation (FGV) and an MSc in Regulation at the London School of Economics, with a specialization in Government and Law.
- Email:
- [email protected]
- Phone:
- +44 (0) 0207 331 2000
- Website:
- www.techUK.org
- LinkedIn:
- www.linkedin.com/in/talesngaspar
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