Information Technology in Panama

Computing and Internet Diffusion

Overview

Computing and Internet diffusion are difficult to measure at this point in Panamá because figures may or may not include certain groups (students utilizing the Internet at schools and universities, and employees utilizing the internet at home) that make these figures more or less significant. Also, figures about usage in the business sector are practically non-existent. However, total numbers can show to what degree Panamanians have computers and utilize the internet. The number of computers for 2000 amounted to 58,945, only 1.96/100. Internet users for 2000 amounted to 42,982, only 1.5/100. This is dramatically lower than countries like Costa Rica with a population of 3,834,934, web users at 250,000, and 700,000 computers for the same year. (15)
However, it is important to acknowledge that Costa Rica has a much more developed infrastructure because of the degree of government involvement in technological issues that are of national importance. Panamá's new government electronic initiatives may soon result in dramatically higher numbers of computers and internet users in the next few years.

Number of PCs and Number of Web Users
  1998 1999 2000 2001

Number of PCs

N/A
N/A
58,945
N/A

Number of PCs per 100
N/A
N/A
1.96
N/A

Internet Users

17,350
24,680
42,982
N/A

Internet Users per 100

0.6
0.9
1.5
N/A

(Source: Regulating Entity of Public Services)

Users

As of 1999, there were only 24,680 Internet users in Panamá. This number increased to 42,982 for the year 2000. It is possible that these numbers represent only subscribers to internet service providers, and do not include users who may go to internet cafes or universities to get access to the Internet. Also, this number may include businesses that subscribe to ISPs. Interpretation of the data is difficult without specific information about these groups.
New Government Initiatives
The new government initiatives, e.panama.gob.pa, are expected to further increase these numbers, both for individuals and businesses. One of the plans includes providing computers and internet connections at all public schools throughout the country. This will create a large increase in computer numbers and Internet users for the year that this plan is implemented, and larger yearly growth as more students are exposed to computers and the Internet. Another plan is the government's procurement site, ecompras.gob.pa, which will force every business that wants to provide goods and services to the government to become more "web savy". With increased exposure to electronic business, businesses may also start to provide online goods and services to the private sector as well.

Internet Service Providers

The number of ISPs and their service offerings has grown since privatization, and de-regulation. (http://www.cwpanama.com.pa/)
In the past 5 years prices have decreased, and more services have become available. It is likely that more services will become available as more companies enter the telecommunications market in years to come. The most important ISPs, and sample pricing information is presented below for the reader to assess, and compare to other ISPs. For more specific pricing information please visit the ISPs' respective websites.

The number of ISPs and their service offerings has grown since privatization, and de-regulation. These are the main internet service providers in the country:

Bell South: Offers dial up service starting at $14.95/month. Unlimited service is $19.95/month. Also offers cable modem service from $19.95 to $64.95. (16)

Inter.net: Offers dial up service from $9.95 to $14.95, cable modem, and wireless services. (17)

Cable Onda: Offers dial up, and cable service. Cable service starts at $52.00/month. (18)

Cable & Wireless: Offers dial up, and ADSL service. ADSL service starts at $52.00 (19)

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