Characteristics of such an environment include the availability of affordable and relevant ICT infrastructure - an area which is still characterized by significant divides. There is also a need to ensure access to adequately trained human resources and a legal and regulatory framework that supports the uptake and productive application of ICTs. A firm-level study covering 56 developing countries found that “ICT is playing an important role in allowing businesses to grow faster and become more productive - this alone suggests that creating an appropriate environment to exploit ICT is important” (World Bank, 2006: 72).