THE CURRENT STATE – ICT IN BELIZE 2011 E-READINESS DEFINED e-Readiness is the degree to which a economy can help to build a better society. country is prepared to participate in the Regardless networked world. According to the “e- development, e-Readiness is assessed by Readiness Guide: How to Develop and determining the relative standing of its Implement a National e- readiness Action society and its economy in the areas that are Plan” e-Readiness is generally defined as most critical for its participation to the the degree to which a country is prepared networked world.1 to participate in the digital economy with the underlying concept that the digital of a country’s level of According to the Economist Intelligence Unit, e-Readiness is not simply a matter of the number of computer servers, websites and mobile phones in the country, but also things such as its citizen’s ability to utilize technology skillfully, the transparency of its business and legal systems, and the extent to which governments encourage the use of digital technologies. 2 When a country does more online—or, as is increasingly the case, wirelessly—the premise is that its economy can become a more transparent and efficient one. 1 GeoSINC International (April 2002). e-Readiness Guide: How to Develop and Implement a National e- readiness Action Plan. 2 Economist Intelligence Unit (2005). The 2005 ereadiness rankings: a white paper from the Economist Intelligence Unit. (http://graphics.eiu.com/files/ad_pdfs/ERR2004.pdf) Belize ICT National Strategy 23