The Development of ICT for Envisioning Cloud Computing and Innovation in South Asia

This paper examines the implications of cloud computing in South Asia in relation to ICT deployment. The authors employ empirical analysis based on related literatures and an ICT panel dataset from 1999-2007, to discover significant factors in this field. Evidence from several studies has shown that the deployment of ICT is greatly related to improvements in a country’s economic performance. The study thus focuses on how ICT deployment helps South Asian countries to adopt cloud computing concepts and innovations, such as Web 2.0, Health 2.0 or Education 2.0. ICT penetration differs from country to country in several respects, except with regard to mobile phones. The study therefore generates new ideas, first, to increase capacity and add capabilities based on mobile technology to adopt the concepts of Web 2.0, Health 2.0 or Education 2.0 throughout South Asia, and, second, to re-think ICT deployment and encourage the diffusion of cloud computing and technological innovation. The paper concludes its analysis with suggestions for policy in developing countries.