1. Australian ICT satellite account
Presentation to OECD Working Party on National Accounts – October 2006

2. Background
Information and communication technology (ICT) plays central role in most economies
Driver of socio-economic development
Driver of productivity growth
Very difficult to conceptualise and measure
ABS response
Range of ICT related surveys
Construction of satellite account

3. Aims Improved understanding of links between ICT supply and use
Improved understanding of relevant concepts and classifications
Improved understanding of available data and knowledge of data gaps
Improved national accounts benchmarks and other economic statistics

4. Measurement issues
No international standards for ICT satellite accounts unlike for tourism or NPI
Main issues confronted:
Treatment of construction of telecommunication towers
Bundling: hardware and software / mobile phone plans
Treatment of computer games
Recognising customised software from computer services
Capitalisation of own account software
Trade in software
Reporting of leased hardware

5. Key findings: ICT shares

6. Key findings: ICT contributors

7. Impact on core national accounts
Improved measures of
GFCF on computer hardware
GFCF on computer software
Trade – especially imports of software
Household expenditure on ICT services
Better understanding of ICT related industries

8. Summary
Important work given the pervasive nature of ICT, its complexity and its contribution to GDP
Lack of international standards and the range of measurement issues suggests more international discussion would be useful
Clear benefits to core estimates in undertaking satellite account analysis