STD/PASS/TAGS – Trade and Globalisation Statistics Downloaded products and online services: Can we measure cross-border trade? Bill Cave OECD Statistics Directorate
STD/PASS/TAGS – Trade and Globalisation Statistics 2 Introduction General impression that the market for downloaded products and online services is growing rapidly. What are downloaded products and online services? CPC version 2 (not yet published) defines “Online content” in 843 close to Internet telecommunications 842 and news agency services 844 In addition to this group, online gambling might deserve attention included in CPC with ordinary gambling services. Is there evidence on market size? Is cross-border trade important and if so can we measure it? Can we measure sales and/or purchases? Should we be doing something?
STD/PASS/TAGS – Trade and Globalisation Statistics 3 CPC Online content 8431 Online text-based information –Online books, periodicals, directories 8432 Online audio content –Music downloads and streamed audio 8433 Online video content –Film and video downloads and streamed video content 8434 Software downloads –System and application software 8439 Other online content –Online games, online software, adult content, websearch portal content, streamed news, greeting cards etc…
STD/PASS/TAGS – Trade and Globalisation Statistics 4 Evidence on market size? There are few hard facts Some marketing research consultancy reports These indicate more than $1 bn dollar sales for each of –Online games –Game downloads –Music downloads –Mobile ringtones –Video on demand –Software downloads
STD/PASS/TAGS – Trade and Globalisation Statistics 5 Cross-border trade No information? Possible sources… Some countries have identified credit card data as a possible source of purchase information Suppliers should have information about where their customers reside ….
STD/PASS/TAGS – Trade and Globalisation Statistics 6 Conclusions and Questions Market sizes for several of these online and downloaded products are substantial and increasing although little hard data and market research reports may exaggerate trends Little known about the international trade aspect Do countries have any recent relevant experience? Eurostat BOP v SNA Rest of World report identifies possible follow up work on e-commerce? Should we as a group be doing something and if so what? Your comments are welcome…