Internet in the Andes: New APC research

[apc] The Andean region has some of the lowest fixed telephone line, mobile telephony and broadband penetration rates of all Latin America, the continent with the starkest economic disparities in the world. In the 90s, Andean countries adopted new liberalisation and privatisation policies in order to attain universal access. Almost 20 years later, these promises have not been fulfilled. APC studied each country through national reports in Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela in order to understand this failure. As the State in countries like Venezuela and Ecuador has begun to play a more pro-active role, the research also analyses their effectiveness and the opportunities and challenges of this renewed involvement. The end goal is for civil society in the region to have the solid tools they need to ensure that inclusive and democratic policies around broadband are put in place.

The project under which research was carried out is called Communication for Influence in Latin America and the Caribbean (CILAC). CILAC also promoted the creation of AndinaTIC, a network of civil society organisations from the Andean region that are working on ICT policy advocacy. AndinaTIC members produced national advocacy reports, which are available below.

Internet in the Andes: New APC research