Diffusion and Culture

Overview:

Although the Dominican Republic is known as having strong ICT in the Carribean, this is truly just limited to the telecommunications realm. The number of computers used by the general public is low, and costs are expensive. Although 33% of the Dominican Republic uses cellular telephones, only a handful of Dominicans currently use the internet.

Highlights:

As noted in other sections of this website, the internet usage in the Dominican Republic is rather low. Only 2% of the population has an internet account, and approximately 5 people share 1 account. Internet access is expensive, ranging from $33-$111 per month, based on speed. IT growth is increasing, at a rate of 15% per year for the internet. Broadband is typically not used, as broadband the Dominican Republic is slow and unreliable. Cable service is slightly less expensive, however, access is unreliable as well.

Additionally, internet usage is self-contained within large cities such as Santo Domingo. One of the visions of the national ICT strategy is to increase internet usage by implementing internet in schools, libraries and opening internet cafes. Internet access in public schools is extremely minimal, while usage in private schools is relatively higher. One of the reasons that the percentage of Dominicans using the internet is so low is because the majority of the users are centralized in the Santo Domingo area. (5)

Fortunately for tourists, internet access is usually included at all-inclusive resorts, however, there is usually a long wait and service is slow. There are internet cafes dispersed through tourist towns, however, internet use at these cafes is extremely expensive and sometimes hard-to-find. Wi-fi access is virtually non-existent, with just a few in universities and other not-so-public areas (15). Telephone service in the Dominican Republic is relatively inexpensive, easy-to-use, and as reliable as the United States. (6) (7)

An interesting note about the Dominican Republic is how there is no national postal service. As a result, at least 50% of more of any mail sent is "lost". Tourists can drop off their mail at their hotels, and if the postcards they send actually do reach the intended individual, the tourist will be home much faster than the postcard actually gets there. (7) The most reliable way to communicate is by telephone, or by sending items via a specified carrier, such as Federal Express.

Since IT growth is continuing to rapidly increase, the Dominican Republic should continue to see a rising trend in ICT, not limited only to voice, but including increases in internet services as well.