In its annual look at the year ahead, IDC predicts that the Information and Communications Technology (ICT) spending, and growth for APAC (excluding Japan) will be fuelled largely by continued disruption, with dynamic market changes driving new or more focused segmentation in vertical markets.

"In particular, government spending will accelerate due to digital inclusion and new digital demands from a more savvy population,” said Graeme Muller, Head of IDC’s APAC Predictions Committee. “While governments will typically lead digital inclusion efforts, strong participation from ICT vendors is expected as part of their corporate social responsibility programs."

IDC predicts the ICT market in Asia Pacific (APEJ), excluding Japan, to reach US$154 billion in 2008, a 10% rate of growth over 2007. Together, China and India will contribute close to half of the region’s total IT spend in 2008, with India being the fastest growing country worldwide in terms of overall IT spending in 2008 over 2007.

The top 10 key IDC predictions that will shape the ICT industry in APEJ in 2008 include:

· China and India double digital growth drives IT market in the region
· Product vendors tap into the profitable end of their services business
· Business Intelligence market shaken by consolidation and convergence
· Digital marketplace accelerates the uptake of enterprise collaboration
· Green IT emerges in Asia/Pacific
· iPhone to drive demand for multimedia phones
· The battle of wireless broadband supremacy: HSDPA vs WiMAX
· ITSM and ITILv3 drive convergence of business and IT consulting
· ICT markets in Emerging Asia continue to grow despite political risk
· Government digital inclusion drives public sector IT spending