1. Metadata:

1.1 Introduction:

As part of GASTAT’s surveys, GASTAT is working on Establishments ICT Access and Usage Survey 2017 to be the second survey that GASTAT carries out concerning information and communications technology (ICT) after Households and Individuals ICT Access and Usage Survey as a part of knowledge statistics.  This definitely displays GASTAT recognition of the importance of information and communications technology (ICT) and its modern technologies.

The information and communications technology witnessed major developments in the recent years represented in the high speed and variety of such services either all over Saudi Arabia or on the international level.  Information and communications technology has become one of the key pivots of development in all economic and social sectors and one of the major factors in measuring nations' progress.  Modern communications played a paramount role in bringing about a major leap all over the world as it enabled all societies (represented in their governments, establishments, and   individuals) to   communicate   and   exchange   information easily and instantly   till    such technologies has become one of the daily necessities for all societies.

The use of ICT by establishments is the most important utilization of this service, given the major role these establishments can play in ensuring the optimal employment of this technology keeping up with its developments, out of the belief in its importance as a mainstay of economy for most developed countries. 

Providing statistics and data on the information and communications technology has become an integrated part of the taking decisions activity.  To cope with international initiatives and   developments, providing data   has become a   must.   Providing data can be accomplished through conducting field statistical surveys that enhance utilizing this activity on international level, and through providing statistics internationally and regionally comparable in accordance with internationally accepted principles and definitions.

1.2 Definition:

It is a survey on ICT Access and Usage.  Information and Communications Technology (ICT) refers to a group of technologies that came out of the close relation between computing and modern technologies of multimedia and communications that gave room for the emergence of more effective ways of communications and improving information processing, storage, publication, and exchange

1.3 Description:

The Establishments ICT Access and Usage survey is one of the basic surveys carried out annually to help study the establishments status related to ICT and give insights on how much establishments use and benefit from ICT assessing the quality of those services.

1.4 Related Terms and their Definitions:

1. Establishment:

A business unit with a legal entity and fixed location in which a certain economic activity is run and owned by a person, group of persons, a company or a semi-governmental sector. The establishment is the smallest economic unit that may have data on employees and their financial compensation in addition to expenditures, revenues and capital formations.

2. Economic Activity:

All the works or services that the establishment performs or provides that generates a return for it. In some cases, the establishment does not receive any return from its work, as is the case in charities that depend on donations.

The classification of the economic activity of establishments is based on international standard industrial classification of all economic activities (ISIC. rev.4) with minor modifications to suit the establishments operating in the Saudi Arabia.

The main activity of each establishment is identified in this survey with an economic classification code consisting of six fields. In case of two or more economic activities for a single establishment, the economic activity with the highest revenue is selected.

3. Workers:

All individuals (Saudis and non-Saudis) who actually work in the establishment, with or without pay, and the owners of the establishment, their families, or their employees, whether they work full or part-time, for extended or temporary periods, male or female, regardless of whether their wages are paid on a daily, weekly or monthly basis. This includes partners and members of joint stock companies, Board chairmen and members, and also includes employees who enjoy paid vacations.

4. Information and Communication Technology:

Information  and  Communications  Technology  (ICT)  refers  to a  group  of  technologies  that came out  of the  close relation  between  computing  and modern  technologies  of  multimedia and   communications   that   gave   room   for   the   emergence   of   more   effective   ways   of communications and improving information  processing, storage,  publication,  and exchange.

According   to  the  agreement  stated   by  the  Organization  for   Economic  Cooperation  and Development,  ICT   includes :

• all   sectors   producing   ICT (manufacturing   computer   devices, televisions, radio, phone, etc...)

• sectors of distributing ICT (such as wholesale of computer devices, etc...)

• sectors providing ICT services (communications, computer services, visual and audio services, etc...).

5. Post Box:

A metal box placed in front of the establishment, for receiving and sending messages. It is also a unique address for individuals, entities, etc... It is also found in the post offices. The owner/s of the post box may use the same to send / receive letters, packages or parcels, in return for a fee for renting the box, depending on special conditions of post offices in the country to which they belong.

6. National Address:

It is a unified national address all over the Saudi Arabia. The address is created by Saudi Post in accordance with standard technological specifications to facilitate identifying sites. This is accomplished through establishing a modern addressing communication system that represents the base for e-government applications and e-commerce activities. The address consists of three main parts: Postal Code, Building No., additional No. The following figure shows the national address:

7. Fixed Telephone Line:

It refers to the telephone line that connects terminal user device (such as telephone or fax) to the public switched telephone network (PSTN) which has a special outlet at phone switch.

8. Cell Phone:

It uses a cellular technology that permits access to the public switched telephone network (PSTN). It includes digital and cellular symmetry technology such as Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS) 2000 of the 3rd generation, and 4th generation, and Advanced Mobile Systems.

9. Computer:

The computer includes a desktop computer, laptop, or a tablet. It does not include devices that are equipped with integrated computerized tools such as smart televisions or devices whose primary function is to make calls. Computer has three forms as follows:

1. Desktop Computer: A computer that is fixed to one place. User sits usually in front of the computer and uses the keyboard.

2. Laptop: A portable small sized computer that performs the same tasks as the desktop computer. It includes small computers such as "Notebook", but does not include tablet computers and other similar hand-held computers.

3. Tablet: A computer integrated in the touch flat screen. The user touches the screen instead of using the regular keyboard.

10. Internet:

The Internet is a public and international computer web that provides access to communications services including world web. It transfers e-mails, news, entertainment, and data files disregarding the device used. Access is not restricted to computer solely, as it is available also via cell phone, tablet, PDA, games tools, and digital television, etc. Access is possible through fixed or mobile communication network.

11. Local Area Network (LAN):

A wired network that connects computers within a single geographic area such as a single building, department, or location, and this network may be wireless.

12. Extranet:

A closed network that uses Internet protocols to securely exchange business information with suppliers, customers, or other business partners. It can take the questionnaire of a secure extension of the intranet that allows external users to access some parts of the establishment’s intranet. It can also be a private part of the establishment's website, where business partners can navigate this network after their access has been authenticated on the login page.

13. Intranet:

An intranet is an internal communications network that uses Internet protocols and allows communication within the establishment (and with other authorized persons), usually built behind a firewall in order to control access.

14. Internet Connection Patterns:

The type of Internet subscription from an ISP company, including:

By mobile phone:

Data chips used in mobile phone allow users to browse the Internet via the wireless network.

1. Digital Subscriber Lines (DSL):

A technology that connects high broadband to dwelling units and small economic establishments via regular (copper) fixed phone lines.

2. Fiber Optics:

Flexible tiny optical wires that carry data in the questionnaire of light. This technology is characterized with extreme speed and it allows making use of utmost speed on the line with a speed larger 60 times than that of DSL.

3. WiMAX:

It refers to a wireless communications standard that is often used nowadays as a transmission and access system to the broadband Internet, and it covers a large geographical space.

4. Satellite Internet:

Using the Internet via waves directly transmitted from satellites.

5. Rented Internet Lines:

The lines used by some establishments through paying money to other companies that are not directly affiliated with the establishments.

6. ISDN:

The abbreviated questionnaire of Integrated Services Digital Network. It is a network that transmit signals digitally among devices. This network provides a high speed and efficiency higher than the telephone and modem networks.

7. USB Mobile Modem/Dongle:

The device that transmit digital signals issued from a computer or a digital device or another to symmetric signal of a telephone line, and it removes the formation of the received symmetric signal, and transforms it into a digital signal to the digital device.

15. E-mail:

It is a tool that enables network local and international users to exchange messages, texts and attachments from one computer to another inside or outside the establishment.

16. Social Media Websites:

A group of websites on the Internet that primarily aim at forming a communication among a number of people or establishments all over the world. They provide many services such as written conversations with other people, audio and visual communication. Such websites include: Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat ...etc.).

17.  Mobile Applications:

Computer programs designed to work on smart mobile phones or tablets and other smart mobile devices.

These applications can be downloaded from App Store for programs suitable for I-Phones and I-Pad. As for the applications designed for Android that can be operate on other devices such as Samsung and Sony, they can be downloaded from Google Play.

Such applications are often for free of to encourage the user to download and use them. There are other applications that can be downloaded only after paying a specific sum of money for the store.

18. Website:

A number of web pages that are interconnected and stored on the server. The website of the establishment can be accessed through the Internet via a web service and through a computer program that supports the web browser.

19. E-Governmental Services:

A system adopted by the governmental agencies through using the World Wide Web in connecting devices together and to connect between their various services with the private establishments and the public in large, and to provide information to people and establishments aiming to create a transparent relationship described with speed and accuracy to improve the performance.

20. Selling and Purchasing through the Internet:

The existence of an E-store, a website or a page affiliated with the establishment website through which it can display its products to customers. The establishment can also resort to a website through which it can buy offered products easily using computers and smart phones. It usually provides the best of its products with the best prices.

21. IT Policy:

A regulation on the safe use of the computer devices and network of the establishment, submitted to all its employees and shall be binding for the safe and secure use of the establishment’s property, such as equipment, software, networks, information and communication devices, to prevent intrusions or legal problems.

22. CIT Security Policy:

A regulation that relies on the protection of certain information of the establishment from being accessed or used by unauthorized individuals or establishments, or from being disclosed, distributed, modified, destroyed or deleted.

23. Viruses:

These are small programs that have the ability to work invisibly and replicate, and they are placed into computers.

These programs target other programs by modifying, penetrating and trying to replicate therein. The aim is not necessarily to disrupt the program, but the virus often transmitted from one computer to another when the infected program is operated or when infected files are opened.

24. Protection Software:

Software that detects and automatically removes malicious files that may infect computers; on the other hand, it acts as a firewall to protect computer accounts when they are connected to the Internet against spyware and other malware that may infect devices.

1. Objectives:

1. The survey aims to provide up-to-date data and indicators on establishments ICT access and usage, as this shall aid decision maker and policy maker to identify and understand:

• The rate of ICT devices availability by establishments.

• The rate of using ICT by establishments.

• Recognizing the fields in which ICT is utilized by establishments.

• Identifying the advantages of utilizing ICT by establishments.

• Identifying the reasons of not utilizing ICT by establishments.

• The rate of utilizing ICT by establishments in purchasing and selling commodities and services.

• The extent to which establishments use postal services.

• Assessing the level of ICT by establishments.

• Establishments’ spending on CIT services.

• Other Related Areas: Security, CIT Management & Protection.

2. Creating and using a broad database as a reliable basis for studies and research of establishments’ CIT activity.

   1. Benefits:

1. Providing researchers, scholars and those interested with the necessary statistical data on CIT for use in scientific research and studies that contribute to highlighting and developing activity in the Saudi Arabia.

2. Conducting local, regional and international benchmarking of establishments’ CIT activity.

2.1 Survey Periodicity:

CITC conducts a survey of access and usage of households and individuals to ICT on an annual basis.

2.2 Data Source:

Survey data collected from the sample of establishments withdrawn from establishments census for 1432 AH.

2.3 Coverage:

Spatial coverage: Establishments ICT access and usage survey covers all regions of KSA.

Time coverage: Establishments ICT access and usage survey data are based on the following:

1. The following data are referred to the last day of the previous Gregorian year when the survey was conducted, and data are:

• Total number of workers at the establishment.

• Data appertaining to the availability of LAN, Extranet, Intranet in the establishment.

• Data appertaining to the availability of e-mail address dedicated for the establishment to practice its activity.

• Data appertaining to the availability of a website and the content available on the website of the establishment.

• Data appertaining to the establishment policy regarding IT and a security policy for ICT.

2. Other data in the questionnaire have been referenced to the previous year when the survey was conducted.

2.4 Sampling unit:

• Primary sampling unit: work area

• Secondary sampling unit: establishment

2.5 Used Classification:

Economic Activities Manual (ISIC.4): The updated Economic Activities Manual is divided into (17) parts, each consisting of one section, and each part is divided into (60) chapters, each chapter consists of (2) sections, then each chapter was divided into (154) groups, each group consisting of three limits (3) sections, and each group in turn divided into a number of categories, each category consisting of four sections, and finally these categories were divided into economic activities, each activity consisting of six sections. The new division of this Manual has allowed the freedom to update any future developments in the Manual. Furthermore, this division has introduced new activity branch codes at a level of more than five sections, in accordance with future requirements.

2.6 Key Results and Indicators:

• Percentage of companies using computers by type of computer, by type of economic activity, by size of establishment (number of employees), and at the level of regions of the Saudi Arabia.

• Percentage of employees who routinely use computers in work, by type of computer, nationality and gender.

• Percentage of companies using the Internet according to communication patterns, speed of Internet subscription and Internet use activities, by type of economic activity, by type of access, by size of establishment (number of employees) and at the level of regions of the Saudi Arabia.

• Percentage of business activities that have a presence on the web.

• Percentage of companies with intranet.

• Percentage of companies that receive requests online.

• Percentage of companies offering requests online.

• Percentage of companies with LAN.

• Percentage of companies with extranet.

2.7 Beneficiaries:

• Ministry of Communications and Information Technology.

• CITC.

• Saudi Post.

• Decision makers, researchers and academics.

2. Survey Methodology

2.1 Needs Research:

The Department of Knowledge Statistics researches and identifies its needs for the implementation of the survey in accordance with the latest international practices and methods, in addition to communicating, holding meetings with key beneficiaries and taking their data requirements and opinions into account when designing the survey questionnaire.

2.2 Survey questionnaire design:

The survey questionnaire has been created and designed by specialized experts in ICT, in accordance with the international standards and definitions. The questionnaire includes the following sections:

Section I: General information about the establishment

Section II: Data of postal service to the establishment

Section III: General information on the utilization of ICT by the establishment

Section IV: Information on the usage of the establishment for the Internet

Section V: Information on the management and maintenance of ICT

Section VI: The establishment evaluation of ICT and the monthly spending average on it

2.3 Frame:

Using the framework of 1432 Establishment Census, which provides a comprehensive inventory of all establishments engaged in various economic activities in all cities and provinces of the Saudi Arabia.

2.4 Sample:

When designing the survey sample, it was taken into account that it shall achieve the key objectives of the survey at the level of the Saudi Arabia and the administrative regions, and the survey community was divided into non-overlapping parts that were relatively homogeneous in their units. Each part is a layer, and each layer is treated as a self-contained community in which a random sample is drawn from each layer independently. Finally, all the sampling units drawn are merged to questionnaire the overall sample.

2.5 Data collection method:

By using the direct contact method with the establishment in the process of completing the survey questionnaire according to the time-specific reference.

2.1 Data Collection Tools:

Data is collected in the field using an electronic survey questionnaire through a tablet device designed for this purpose, which contains all family members’ data.

2.2 Uploading and archiving Data and Metadata on Databases:

Using the synchronization feature on tablets, field researchers in various regions of the Saudi Arabia transfer the survey data directly to the database at GASTAT’s headquarters and stored in preparation for review and processing.

2.3 Validation of Collected Data:

This is done by reviewing the data, and then the data quality unit of Operations Department reviews this data in conjunction with the data collection stage carried out in the field. In addition, Knowledge Statistics Department also reviews the data using the program intended for that purpose through the review screens.

2.4 Follow-up of Data Collectors:

The Operations Department follows up the data collectors through its supervisors and inspectors, and also follows them up through the Data Quality Unit at the Operations Department.

2.1 Follow-up of Data Providers:

The Knowledge Statistics Department follows up data providers through the Data Quality Unit at the Operations Department. Also, the authorized persons at the operations room at GASTAT’s headquarters make random calls to a number of data providers in the field, and the survey supervisors in various regions of the Saudi Arabia periodically make random visits and calls to data providers in order to verify the validity of collected data, and the method that the surveyor follows in interviewing the respondents.

2.2 Formulas and Calculations Used:

The totals and percentages are used to derive the required results and indicators.

2.3 Loading the Outputs to Databases:

After the calculations are done and the results are drawn, the outputs are loaded and stored on the related database.

2.4 Reviewing and Processing Outputs:

The Knowledge Department reviews and processes data through a system that uses correction rules.

2.5 Data Confidentiality:

The information is kept confidential in GASTAT, and is used only for statistical purposes only. In no case shall any private data on individuals or households be published and rather the data published are aggregate statistical tables published at the level of the Saudi Arabia and the administrative regions.

2.6 Publication of Data:

The Knowledge Department prepares the publication and the related excel tables, as well as the press release, and coordinates with the General Department of Media and Statistical Awareness to be published on the dates that are announced on GASTAT’s website.

2.7 Evaluation and Data Quality:

After publishing the results, the Knowledge Department reviews all comments and observations received from data users and works to address any shortcomings, if any, and update the beneficiaries accordingly.