The Ministry of Technology and Communications (MTC), in association with the National Centre for Statistics and Information (NCSI), has launched a national survey to measure ‘Access to and use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) by Households and Individuals’ for the year 2020.

The survey, that started on February 9 will run till February 20, and cover 2,500 individuals, both nationals and expatriates above the age of 18 years from all governorates of the sultanate with the aim of getting an update on the use of technology and communications in the sultanate.

The result will help the decision-makers with the necessary information and input to draw up relevant policies, the ministry stated.

The survey will measure the rates of access of families and individuals to the Internet, the reasons that impede access to it, and the extent of their use of various social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat, blogs, forums and others. It will also provide important indicators about the rates of ownership and the use of computers, smart phones and various applications. The survey will also find out and identify the skills of individuals in ICT, such as writing a letter and use of simple calculations in programmes (such as Excel) in addition to the advanced skills, including making presentations and the use of programming language.

The survey is planned and designed in accordance with international standards. The results of the survey will reflect on the development of technology and communications sector in addition to updating the sultanate’s data with international organisations.

The survey will be carried out in Arabic, English and Urdu. The respondents will be contacted through the Contact Centre of the National Centre for Statistics and Information during the official working period from 8am to 2.30pm.

The data will be treated with utmost confidentiality and will only be used for the intended purposes, the ministry added.