Abstract
Executive Summary
Internet
Internet user penetration in Central America and the Caribbean stands at
roughly 18%, only just over a quarter of what it is in the USA and Canada. In
South America, about 25% of the population uses the Internet. Challenges to
Internet growth include poor fixed-line infrastructure, low PC penetration,
and widespread poverty. On the positive side, the broadband market has been
growing steadily in most countries, and there is considerable room for
expansion. Although the situation varies considerably from country to country,
the region as a whole is a fertile ground for broadband investment. WiMAX and
triple play are becoming increasingly popular.
Broadband
At the end of 2007, broadband subscribers in Latin America had grown to 19.4
million, a huge increase compared with 2.7 million in 2003. Nevertheless, in
terms of penetration rate, the number of broadband lines per 100 inhabitants
was only 3.4, considerably less than the world' s estimated 5.9 lines.
The poor uptake of broadband in the region can be attributed to several
factors, the main one being the high prices charged by providers, which in
many countries have a virtual monopoly in their areas of operation. Other
factors include low PC penetration, insufficient fixed-line infrastructure,
highly unequal income distribution, a lack of economies of scale, and
regulatory hurdles.
This report provides 180 statistical tables relating to Internet and broadband
markets of 26 Latin American countries, and is extracted from the full annual
market reports.
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