How the ITA has contributed to 
resilience in the COVID-19 
pandemic, and how to go forward
Magnus Nordéus
CorporateHeadofTrade&Compliance,Ericsson
Chair of the Customs & Export Control WG 
DIGITALEUROPE
RD/IT/36DIGITALEUROPE represents more 
than 36 000 businesses across 
Europe
DIGITALEUROPE represents the digital technology industry in
Europe. Our members include some of the world’s largest IT,
telecoms and consumer electronics companies and national
associations from every part of Europe. DIGITALEUROPE
wants European businesses and citizens to benefit fully from
digital technologies and for Europe to grow, attract and sustain
the world’s best digital technology companies.
DIGITALEUROPE ensures industry participation in the
development and implementation of EU policies.National Trade 
Associations 
(NTAs)39
Corporate 
Members91
New members in 
2021:
1.NetApp
2.GlaxoSmithKline
3.Autodesk
4.Atos
5.Sky 
6.Global Knowledge
7.Zoom
8.ResMed
9.Xiaomi
10.Waymo
11.ESET
12.Assent Compliance
13.TikTok
14.Johnson Controls
15.Vivo
16.Sopra Steria The Information 
Technology Agreement
25 years of contributing to 
resilience!Mobile 
broadband IoT?
1980
1G1990
2G2000
3G2010
4GNow
5G
VoiceIT/ICT -an industry driving change
Source: Ericsson, AD Little80 jobs
Are created for every 1000 broadband 
connections
ITA –the enabling factor
+1% BNP
Are created for every +10% increase of 
broadband  penetration
Source: Ericsson, AD LittleIn a time of crisis, 
connectivity is key for 
resilience
•Now, more than ever, people rely on 
mobile networks and IT/ICT products.
•The pandemic resulted in an increase 
in demand for voice and data.
•Fixed and mobile telecommunications 
networks have become an even 
bigger part of the critical 
infrastructure. 
•The imperative importance and high 
demand of affordable IT and ICT 
products for resilience became 
apparent during the pandemic –ITA 
is, and will continue to be, the key. 
Keep societies functioning
Many societal functions and
even healthcare activity was 
able to shift online to limit in-
person exposure risks to 
COVID-19 - importance of 
effective and robust digital 
infrastructure.60 % of white-collar workers 
increased use of video calls.
School closures occurred across 
190 countries, impacting 91% of 
students - approx. 1.6 billion 
children (note that 3/10 could 
NOT access distance learning).83 percent of smartphone users 
claim that ICT helped them 
significantly in coping during 
COVID-19 imposed lockdowns.IT/ICT had a prominent role during the pandemic
Work and learn from home Stay connected
How to go forward -digital inclusion with ITA
50 % of world’s 
population 
without internet 
access Promote 
deploymentCreate business 
opportunitiesSupport inclusion 
and sustainable 
economic societal 
developmentMobile broadband 
enhances 
economic 
development 
In partnership with
Imperial College, UK
(Global study)
Challenge
Without access to mobile
broadband competition,
transactions, 
entrepreneurial
ideas and distribution of
information will slow
down and hamper
economic development.Solution
This research article
investigated to what extent
the diffusion of mobile
broadband has impacted
economic development in
terms of GDP. The results
showed that investing in
mobile broadband will
spur economic growth.Impact
On average a 10
percent increase of
mobile broadband
adoption causes a 1
percent increase in 
GDP.
ITA accession: Projected GDP Growth in 10 years
1.3%Pakistan
Argentina1.3%
Kenya1.3%ITIF: By reducing costs, the 
ITA leads to increased use 
of ICT goods, which spurs 
productivity and economic 
growth!
Cambodia1.0%Enabling 
financial inclusion
Challenge
In many countries 
peopledo not 
havebankingfacilities.
For exampleinAfrica 57% 
of thepopulation lack any 
formof bank account.Solution
MobileFinancial 
Services platforms 
features easy touse and 
secure next-generation 
mobilefinancial 
services.Impact
Millions of unbanked mobile 
users enjoy benefits of mobile 
financial services. 
From immersive experiences, to financial inclusion, 
to millions of school children connected by 2030. 
Limitless connectivity brings the benefits of a 
digital society to everyone, whoever they are and 
wherever they liveA world wherelimitless connectivity 
improves lives
Our global UNICEF partnership aims to connect 
every school to the internetConnect to learnProgram details subject to change following editorial review. © The Economist Group 2021. 
Improving school connectivity could increase the quality of education by up to 
10% in the least connected countries
Gains in learning-adjusted years of schooling (average years per student) under 
alternative scenariosProgram details subject to change following editorial review. © The Economist Group 2021. 
Beyond the benefits to children, this could increase GDP per capita by up to 
20% in some economies 
Gains in GDP per capita (US $, 000s) under alternative scenarios (2025)Redefining business
The logistics
of the futureSmart 
manufacturingConnected 
vehicles
ContinuedenablementthroughITA
$800 billion
ITA-3 would boost global GDP 
by nearly $800 billion over 10 
years. (recent study by ITIF)
15%
The ICT sector has the 
potential to enable 
greenhouse-gas emission 
reductions of 15% in other 
sectors by 2030.17ITAgoing 
forward
Encourage more participants to join the ITA
The e-commerce negotiations is a unique 
opportunity to increase geographical scope
Continue updating the product list to capture 
technological evolution and innovation
Emphasize the value in complying with the ITA –
the importance of facilitating trade in ICT products 
proven ever more important through the pandemic 
Continue consultations on non-tariff barriers in 
accordance with the ITA declaration to safeguard the 
impressive results achieved on the tariff side. Ericsson.com/technology-for-climate-action