India was ranked 50 among 127 countries which were evaluated by the World Economic Forum (WEF) for their 'network readiness'. Last year, it was ranked 44 out of 122 countries. Thus, the country has slipped four places in a constant sample from 2006�07.

The WEF's Global Information Technology Report (GITR) 2007-08 is in its seventh edition and ranks countries based on the 'Networked Readiness Index' (NRI).

This year, the report covered developed and developing economies (added five this year) all over the world which account for over 95 per cent of the world's GDP.

Denmark continued to top the chart in terms of network readiness for the second year consecutively, followed by Sweden and Switzerland. Among the top 10, the Republic of Korea (9) and, to a lesser extent, the US (4) post the most notable improvements (moving up 10 and three positions), respectively.

The report states that though India scores well for the sophistication of its business environment, the poor state of its information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure and the extremely low levels of ICT penetration among individuals are severe obstacles to growth.

In terms of availability of qualified labour force and innovation potential, the country scores an impressive fourth place for the availability of scientists and engineers. However, the level of ICT penetration among individuals is extremely poor and ranks India at 109.

While China, too, has similar weaknesses with an underdeveloped infrastructure (86) and scarce individual usage (80), it has managed to climb five positions (based on the constant sample) to 57.

In terms of government readiness, China occupies the 42nd position as ICT penetration seems to be the central theme on the government agenda.

Moreover, the government's ICT strategy appears to have already borne some fruit in the form of ICT promotion, e-government services, and the government's productivity and efficiency improvements (ranked 34 for government usage).

Among the drivers of Denmark's success in networked readiness are, the supportive ICT environment (ranked second), characterised by one of the best regulatory frameworks (second) for doing business and for ICT. Denmark is ranked first in the world for the development of its ICT legislation and for the efficiency of its legal framework to settle disputes.

The NRI, featured in the report, examines how prepared countries are to use ICT effectively on three dimensions: the general business, regulatory and infrastructure environment for ICT; the readiness of the three key stakeholder groups,  individuals, businesses and governments to use and benefit from ICT; and their actual usage of the latest information and communication technologies available.

Under the theme, Fostering Innovation through Networked Readiness, this year's report places a particular focus on the role of networked readiness in spurring innovation.