8.0 Domestic
Production
Although Norway’s ICT industry is relative small, the industry has
made advancements. In 2001, Norway’s ICT industry had a turnover of 9.21
billion (NOK). Of the 9.21 billion, 5.02
billion (NOK) can be attributed to information technology and 4.19 billion
(NOK) can be attributed to Telecommunications. Since 2000, the ICT industry as
a whole has posted an impressive growth rate at just over 8%. Consultancy is
another highlight for Norway. Consultancy grew from 164 million (NOK) to 271
million (NOK) in 2001. Furthermore, consultancy is expected to grow to 311
million (NOK) in 2002.
8.1 Research
and Development
The Norwegian ICT
manufacturing industries spent roughly 171 million (NOK) in 1998 on research
and development. At the time, this represented between 0.2 and 0.3% of Norway’s total GDP.
8.2 Software
Industry
Since the mid-1990s software
development has become an important priority for Norway’s developing ICT industry. Three specific sectors where Norway has had a great deal of success are mobile telephony,
satellite communications, and the electronic content management. Norway played a central role in the development of the GSM telephony
standard and GPS satellite navigation technology. In recent years, content
management has become in important sector for the delivery of multimedia
content via the internet. The content
management (CM) sector will continue to play a larger role as companies shift
their distribution chains to the internet as a means of selling their digital
assets. Although relatively small compared to international software
development powerhouses like the US, India, China, the Norwegian software industry is still growing at
38%[1]
per year. As the proliferation of broadband grows throughout the world, Norway’s content management sector should see an increase in
future demand.
8.3 Computer
Hardware Sales in Norway
