Regional Disparities in the Spreading of Information-Communication Technologies in Hungary

Abstract

In the 2nd half of the 80's, but especially in the middle of the 90's after the privatisation of the telecommunications sector the informational-communicational technology began to develop dynamically in Hungary. The annual development of this branch is faster than the other ones. Due to the technical-technological development, the level of our telecommunication-datacommunication infrastructure is good in comparison with other European countries. The network digitalisation that is needed for high level services is more than 80%. Due to the increasing demand, the capital flowing into the branch and the suitable economical and political conditions a 3-level information network have been made (academic network, secondary school network, and commercial network). Network developments have been made especially in bigger university and economic centres according to the economical needs in a dynamic and concentrated way as in the international trends. More concentration can be seen in the territorial placement of Internet servers, which has increased the territorial inequality, e.g. in infrastructure facilities, economic development and social opportunities.