The fusion of two technologies called Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is being viewed as a potent force in transforming the present social, economic and political set-up. The concept of "global village" was the outcome of the strides of development in ICT. In the last few years, a number of development agencies and international organizations like OECD and UNCTAD have been encouraging the developing countries to benefit from the capabilities of ICT by putting forth the argument that these countries can achieve their development objectives in education, employment, healthcare, poverty alleviation and other areas, with the help of ICT. As a response, such countries have welcomed the advent of ICT with gigantic optimism. In the light of these developments, the paper explores the success of efforts of these countries to enhance their ICT capabilities over the years. As all countries and regions of the world have been unable to attain an equal development, gaps of "haves" and "have-nots" exist in many areas. The study also makes an effort to find out the extent of gap existing in the area of ICT.

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) is being viewed as a potent force in transforming social, economic and political set-up of today. The concept of "Global Village" was conceived and turned into reality due to the strides of development in ICT. These technologies have created new opportunities for scientific progress, economic development, education, and even a social change. Information Economy Report, 2005 released by United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) stresses the importance of ICT in its foreword as, "Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have the potential to profoundly change global trade, finance and production. By making businesses more competitive and economies more productive and most of all by empowering people with knowledge, ICTs can support faster economic growth, and thus, strengthen the material basis for development."