ABSTRACT
The chapter starts with a discussion of the definition and composition of the information and communications technologies (ICT) sector, because there is much unclarity about this matter. A distinction is made between market, technological and institutional trends. The chapter addresses the questions of why and how urban regions would benefit from the information revolution. It overviews possible urban policies to boost the ICT sector, enriched with many examples from a study in five European cities. The chapter includes traditional sectors such as telecom companies and equipment producers, as well as newer firms such as software developers, ICT consultants and Internet companies, and also electronic content providers. Telematics has been a hot topic in the automotive industry, with most manufacturers seeing huge potential for offering value-added services - from email access to navigational assistance - as wireless technology improves. Labour shortage and rapid business expansion are the causes of increasing global competition for ICT talent.
