Internet use in Peru: collective access as the main way of connection

1
Internet use in Peru collective access as the
main way of connection

• Ana María Fernández-Maldonado
• Faculty of Architecture
• Delft University of Technology

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Contents

• Introduction
• The context the telecommunications sector
• Internet use in Lima main features
• Discussion
• Internet and the government
• Internet and the youth in times of crisis
• Significance of Internet use
• Present realities and contradictions

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Teledensity evolution
Source OSIPTEL, 2005
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Teledensity in Latin America in 2003
Source ITU, 2004
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Share of Telefonica in fixed and mobile telephony
in 2005
Source OSIPTEL, 2005
Fixed telephony
Mobile telephony
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Share of Telefonica in the Internet market
Source Apoyo, 2003
Residential market 2003
Business market 2002
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Places of connection in Lima in 2004
Source Apoyo, 2004
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Places of connection in Mexican cities in 2004
Source AMIPCI, 2004
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Main place of connection in Lima in 2004
Source Apoyo, 2004
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Lima socio-economic sectors in 2003
Source Apoyo (2003)
Average monthly household income
US 3500
US 890
US 352
US 162
Total average 434 Median 257
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Internet use according to income sectors in 2004
Source Apoyo, 2004
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Growth of Internet use 2003-2004
Source Apoyo, 2004
Penetration
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Internet use according to age group in 2004
Source Apoyo, 2004
Penetration
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118 cybercafes
Source Juvenet (2004)
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Main features of Internet use in Lima

• Telecommunications is a privatized sector
  dominated by one only firm
• Telefonicas tariffs policy ? a very low level of
  teledensity
• The governments role ? low level of
  participation.
• High demand for Internet connection ? collective
  access points have proliferated
• The democratization of Internet use in Lima ?
  especially observed in youth groups.

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Internet and the government

• The diffusion of Internet is not really a matter
  of government concerns.
• Implicit agreement between the state and the
  poor functions in Lima since the 1950s.
• After housing, economic activities and public
  transportation, the informal sector is now
  significant in the ICT sector.
• However, government involvement is needed for
  going forward ? a vision and action plan.

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Internet and youth in Lima

• Lima ? high proportion of young people without a
  job. Results
• Emigration
• More education
• Retreat into blasé and individualistic attitudes
• Crime, social and political violence
• Internet use
• Young - university or school - students of Andean
  origin massively opt for connection to the global
  networks
• ? Internet is providing hope for a better future

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Significance of Internet use

• Youth and people from lower-income sectors ?
  Internet use is effectively improving their lives
• Internet means much more for the poor than for
  the affluent groups. It makes communication
  possible.
• Users think they appropriate a global
  lifestyle, synonymous of progress and modernity.
  
• Internet flows are also spreading conventional
  views and a commercial and superficial culture

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Present realities of Internet use in Peru

• Internet use is promoting contradictory trends
  towards social exclusion and democratization.
• In access to telecommunication services
• In education
• In social and cultural aspects
• These new processes and trends are contributing
  to make the urban scene more contested than ever.