The number of companies investing in information and communications technology (ICT) and internet infrastructure between January and June 2012 is down compared to the same period in 2011. Data from greenfield investment monitor fDi Markets shows that there were 136 FDI projects in the sector in the first six months of 2012, compared to 203 in the first six months of 2011. There was also a marked decline in the average number of jobs created, capital expenditure and number of companies investing.

The ICT and internet infrastructure sector covers projects such as the opening of data centres, cloud computing centres, and the launching or expanding of 3G and 4G networks and points of presence. A breakdown of 2012 data shows that there were 45 such projects in North America, 30 in both Asia-Pacific and western Europe, 18 in Latin American and the Caribbean, eight in Africa, four in 'rest of Europe' and one in the Middle East.

As in the first six months of 2011, North America was the most popular destination for ICT and internet infrastructure projects, while Asia-Pacific jumped from fourth to second and western Europe remained the third most popular destination. Latin America and the Caribbean, the second most popular destination location in 2011, moved to fourth. While most regions have witnessed a marked decline in project numbers, Asia-Pacific experienced an increase from 27 in the first six months of 2011 to 30 in the first six months of 2012. The most popular destination countries within this region were Singapore, China and Hong Kong.