IDATE study suggests slowdown in growth of global digital market. - In 2007, the global digital market (DigiWorld) reached €2.75 billion, up 5.8% on 2006, according to the latest report from the 'Institut de l'audiovisuel et des télécommunications en Europe' (IDATE), slightly slower than in previous years but as global GDP growth has experienced a considerable slow-down, ITC (information and communication technologies) is expected to growth at above half a percent higher than the general economy. Overall, the digital market accounts for 7.3% of global GDP, with telecoms services leading in 2007 with 2.7% or €1.004 billion, followed by software and IT services (1.8%, 660 bn). Next year, it is forecast that total turnover on the markets should break through the €3,000 billion threshold for the first time to reach €3,030 bn. It is too soon, however, to detect any long-lasting strengthening of DigiWorld because the risks of deterioration in the global economy will be felt on the digital economy as well, notes IDATE. The digital services industry (software, television programmes and content, telephony and the Internet) accounted for most income in 2007, explains the report. Growth in equipment sales (computers, telephone handsets, iPods. electronics for the general public, etc) has slowed under tariff pressure. Awaiting the next generation 4G or Wimax products (with speeds similar to ADSL), the mobile phone market is no longer a high growth area, growing at only 2% in most countries in Europe, already saturated. In terms of regions, while Europe and North America still accounted for most of the DigiWorld market in 2007, they have lost 0.9% on the previous year. If one adds Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand (the other advanced economies in the Pacific region), industrialised countries still account for three-quarters of the global market in value but this fell by 1.2% in 2007. IDATE notes great gaps between the regions, ranging from growth of 3.7% in Europe to 12% in Latin America and Africa and the Middle East, and 6.7% growth in the Asia-Pacific region. These average growth figures themselves hide considerable gaps between countries of the same region and between areas of business. Europe in particular is the region lagging the furthest behind with growth levels below those of other regions, including North America. The Old Continent lost 1.7% of relative weight from 2004 to 2007. The advanced markets in the Asia-Pacific region (Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand) have seen their share of the ITC markets in the region falling from 56% to 50% over the past three years. The contrast between their growth dynamic (less than 3% a year) and that of emerging economies in the region, headed by China and India with growth of around 10% a year. In terms of their contribution to growth, the share of each big region is more balanced. Emerging economies in Asia account for a quarter of world growth and other emerging regions around 20%, while Europe and North America together account for 64% of the market, namely €1,749 billion.