The framework for the 2004 study was the same as one that was used for the 2003 study because of its potential not only to evaluate a state’s relative development and use of ICT but also  allowed  a better understanding of a state’s strengths and weaknesses with respect to ICT. IT spending as a percent of GDP in the case of Australia, China, South Korea, Japan, United States and United Kingdom had then ranged between 5.3 to 6.5 per cent; the study tried to answer why did these progressive, cost and growth conscious countries spend lavishly to get networked?