ICT development trends provide doors to new possibilities. Information and communications technology (ICT) is a forward-thinking industry that is one of Latvia’s fastest-growing sectors. In terms of mobile use (23 GB), Latvia is third among OECD nations and has the world’s 33rd fastest internet speed. It was also one of the first nations to have a 5G network in place. The fact that Latvia is today the leading ICT exporter in the Baltics is due to its historical status as a center for ICT research and development. Computer programming and information services have seen a rise in market share over the last several years as a result of the IT sector’s fusion with other business disciplines and role as a catalyst for development and innovation. In collaboration with the IT industry, Latvian telecommunications firms are developing 5G and other Smart city technologies.
Primary subsectors of ICT
The primary subsectors of the ICT market are IT support, Telecom, Software development, Cloud solutions, AI, Automation, and Robotics.
Latvian ICT
According to the annual eGovernment Benchmark report from the European Commission (EC), Latvia is the EU member state with the fourth-highest level of e-government maturity. In terms of the effectiveness and use of digital public services, Latvia ranks fifth in the EU. One of the first nations to deploy the 5G network internationally is Latvia. In the 5G Readiness Index, it ranks first among the Baltic nations and seventh overall in Europe. Mobility, drones, public safety, big data, and AI are examples of 5G application cases. Latvia has super-fast internet access. According to statistics, 89.7% of Latvians regularly access the internet. Latvia is ranked 12th in the EU for high-capacity network coverage and 17th in the EU for households who solely use mobile broadband at home.
Statistics of the Latvian ICT industry
With an ICT export value of 1.5 billion EUR, Latvia leads the Baltic States in the export of telecommunications services. ICT is one of Latvia’s sectors with the greatest rate of growth, hence the local labour force is sometimes insufficient. As a result, 949 working licenses for foreign IT workers were awarded in 2020. The ICT industry supports the expansion of production and productivity while also advancing technology. The ICT sector in Latvia has a 30% YoY profit increase.
Education and Employment
In Latvia, the ICT industry employs 36,000 people, and there are more and more ICT businesses. ICT experts are in high demand all around the globe. As the country with the most ICT students per million people in Europe, Latvia can assist in filling such positions. The Baltic IT Leaders Excellence Bachelor Program in Computer Science and Organizational Technology was designed by the University of Latvia (LU), Riga Technical University (RTU), and Buffalo University (the USA). Students can study robotics, big data analysis, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, telecommunications, and electronics via comprehensive and cutting-edge ICT study programs.
Leaders in Latvia’s ICT sector
The ICT industry leaders in Latvia include:
SAF technika
One of the top manufacturers of microwave point-to-point radios and field-optimized portable spectrum analyzers in the world, SAF Tehnika exports 99% of its output to more than 130 nations.
Tet
One of the most seasoned businesses in Europe, Tet offers comprehensive and cutting-edge solutions in IT, telecoms, and outsourced business operations. In addition, Tet oversees a launch platform for start-ups called Overkill and creates initiatives like Claara, the first TV advertising and extensive audience analytics online tool in the Baltics.
LMT
One of the most effective mobile data network providers and 5G implementers globally, LMT is a mobile telecommunications operator and market leader in Latvia. LMT has received recognition on a global scale as the Best Mobile Technology Breakthrough, the European 5G Pioneer, and a nominee for the 2019 Global Mobile Awards with organizations like Deutsche Telecom, Verizon, and Ericsson.
MikroTik
Most nations in the world utilize MikroTik hardware and software to connect to the Internet, including Mitsubishi Motors, Siemens, Hewlett-Packard, Ericsson, Motorola, Mount Everest, and missions to Mars. The World Intellectual Property Organization has awarded MikroTik the WIPO IP Enterprise Trophy for its inventive use of the IP system and effective business initiatives to advance IP.
Zabbix
Zabbix, employed in Brazilian bank security systems, Japanese machine manufacturing, well-known communications businesses, huge retailers, airports, and ministries, is one of the most sought-after monitoring tools in the IT industry internationally. Because Zabbix speaks for itself, the firm has been able to attract customers without making significant marketing investments.
Tilde
Even Facebook and Skype employ Tilde’s virtual assistants. Tilde offers localization services, creates specialized machine translation systems, and provides online terminology tools for a variety of languages. Tilde has won the WMT 2019 competition, known as the “Olympics” in machine translation technology, three years in a row.
Lightspace Technologies
Global innovators in multi-focal 3D AR headsets and future, glasses-free 3D picture displays are Lightspace Technologies. Medical data 3D visualization, including real-time 3D microscopy, image-guided surgery, diagnostics, airspace, and mission control with 3D visualization, are the key applications of 3D imaging technology. It is also used in gaming and augmented reality 3D headsets, as well as 3D heads-up displays (HUD) for car windscreens.
