Introduction

This chapter presents the evolution of the information and communications technology (ICT) sector in Mauritius and the advances made in defining clear institutional, policy, legal and regulatory frameworks which have positively influenced trade in the ICT services. The case study analyses the pre-existing conditions that facilitated competition in telecommunications thus paving the way to making ICT a key pillar for the development of the Mauritian economy through its Cyber Island Strategy. The study also reviews the prominent role played by the sector ministry and the ICT regulator in fostering widespread application of modern technologies and reporting on the ensuing economic benefits for the country.

The ICT sector definition for Mauritius conforms to the recommendations of the United Nations (ITU 2010) to ascertain a scientific measurement of sector outputs. It thus includes manufacturing and services industries whose products capture, transmit or display data and information electronically. It comprises wholesale and retail trade, communications, business services such as call centres, software development, website development and hosting, multimedia, IT consulting and disaster recovery centres. Since 2008, ICT training has been excluded from the definition.