LatAm Digital Market Growth Averages 14% 2003-05

The Latin American market for digital technology grew by an average of 14% annually from 2003-05, more than double that seen in Europe (5%), the US (5%) and the Asia-Pacific regions (6%), according to a study released by the Fundación Telefónica.

The report, Digiworld América Latina 2007, carried out by Spanish telecoms group Telefónica, analyzes the levels of adoption of information and communications technology (ICT) by the general population, companies and governments in Latin America.

Telefónica is the leader in providing broadband ADSL connections in the region with more than 4mn. Broadband connections make up 74% of total connections, according to the study.

Between 2000-05, telecoms operators invested 28% of their revenues in ICT development in the region, such as infrastructure and networks, compare to 13% in Europe and 18% in the US.

From 1990-2005, the penetration of fixed line telephony increased threefold to 19% and the number of mobile phones went from 100,000 to 230mn, the report said.

At the end of 2005, 70% of fixed lines had internet access meaning that some 13% of Latin Americans are connected."

Posted to the site on 6th June 2007