ICT
From The Report: Colombia 2013
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The ICT sector is undergoing considerable development as the government implements its Vive Digital Plan, a strategy that targets the overall improvement of telecommunications connectivity and is expected to facilitate $12.5bn worth of investments into the sector between 2011 and 2014. The telecoms sector saw the mobile penetration rate surpass 100% in 2012 and its first major auction of 4G spectrum in 2013. While it still faces major challenges, the auction will improve network quality and increase the Vive Digital Plan’s budget considerably. Likewise the IT market has expanded, bringing in $5.8bn in revenue in 2012 as the adoption of new technologies increases, creating more opportunities for internet providers, software engineers and many other segments.
This chapter includes an interview with Diego Molano Vega, Minister of Information and Communications Technology.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Staying connected: Mobile users continue to grow as the government carries out 4G auction
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The past decade has seen mobile penetration rates increase dramatically as the adoption of technology continues to gather momentum. In 2012 the telecoms sector reached a milestone as the mobile penetration rate surpassed 100%, and 2013 saw another landmark event with its first major auction for 4G spectrum. However, the sector still faces several challenges, in particular the current mobile market dominance of Mexico-based América Móvil’s Claro unit. As a result, Colombia maintains one of…

Analysis

A stronger market: The recent 4G spectrum tender is changing the mobile internet landscape
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Mobile internet services have undergone significant improvement as the government recently awarded five 4G licences, including advanced wireless services (AWS), 2500-MHz and 1900-MHz bands. The event took place on June 26, 2013 and the government raised a total of COP770.5bn ($462.3m). Despite not attracting as many operators as originally intended, the auction has raised a significant amount for the government and will result in, once the infrastructure is built by the end of 2013, a clear evolution…

Overview

The multiplier effect: Government support for infrastructure development and a growing IT service sector pave the way
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With the fourth-largest IT market in Latin America and a growing fibre-optic network, Colombia continues to add technological prowess to its economic capabilities. Strong political backing for the IT industry has emerged as the sector’s “multiplier effect” and is having a dramatic impact across the economy, with IT revenue in 2012 reaching $5.8bn, according to the Colombian Chamber of Computer Science and Telecommunications. Government support has manifested itself as addition of funds…

Interview

Logging on: OBG talks to Diego Molano Vega, Minister of Information and Communications Technology (ICT)
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Interview:Diego Molano Vega What is the importance of the Vive Digital Plan? DIEGO MOLANO VEGA: The Vive Digital Plan is boosting Colombia’s technological leap through the widespread use of the internet. Ultimately this initiative seeks to reduce poverty and create new jobs. To achieve this, the plan envisages the development of a national digital ecosystem, which consists of four key components: infrastructure, services, applications and users. Internet access has improved from 2.2m connections…