IDC Predicts Recovery and Transformation in 2010 - Modest IT Spending Growth to be Accompanied by Fundamental Industry Transformation

In terms of the recovery, IDC predicts that worldwide IT spending will grow by 3.2% in 2010, returning the industry to 2008 spending levels of about $1.5 trillion. In broad terms, hardware, software and services spending will each grow in the 2-4% range, with hardware experiencing the most notable gains after a particularly difficult 2009. Emerging markets will drive more than half the new IT industry growth in 2010, with IT spending up 8-13% in the BRIC countries of Brazil, Russia, India, and China. Telecommunications spending will experience respectable growth of 3%, driven by a rebound in the IP and data segments in mature markets and strong growth in the mobility sector in emerging economies.