Internet connectivity has transformed into an essential component of contemporary existence, exerting a decisive influence on areas such as education, the labor field, and the daily life of a multitude of individuals.
The Dominican Republic stands out by being among the first ten countries in Latin America with the most affordable internet service, according to an analysis conducted by the British consulting firm Cable.co.uk.
The study indicates that the average price of a gigabyte (GB) of mobile data in the island nation is USD 0.79, assigning it the eighth place in the regional classification by its economy. This aspect takes on importance when considering that the global average is USD 3.42 per GB, thus highlighting that the Dominican Republic offers significantly cheaper internet access compared to other countries at the global and regional levels.
Since 1995, when the Dominican Republic gained access to the internet, initially through fixed connections in homes and businesses and later through mobile telephony, it has shown significant progress in terms of connectivity and technology. The development of its infrastructure and the increase in competition among service providers have favored an improvement in quality and a reduction in costs for consumers.
Despite these achievements and its outstanding position in the regional index, specialists indicate that there are still obstacles that affect the price of internet in the nation. Engineer in telecommunications José Flores, in an interview with the *De Último Minuto* team, mentioned that the fiscal imposition on the internet service has a significant impact on its final cost.
“The internet tariff includes an 18% tax for the Industrialized Goods and Services Transfer Tax (ITBIS), a 10% tax for the Selective Consumption Tax, and a 2% tax for the Telecommunications Development Contribution. This makes the State collect 30% of each peso paid for internet at the local level,” Flores specified.
This tax regime places the Dominican Republic among the nations with the highest fiscal pressure on telecommunications services in Latin America. According to the expert, this circumstance restricts the possibilities of offering more competitive and accessible prices for the entire citizenry.
Comparative analysis between Latin American countries of Spanish and Portuguese language
Cable.co.uk’s research places Colombia at the top of the list of Latin America with the cheapest mobile internet, setting its average price at USD 0.20 per GB. Uruguay occupies the second place with USD 0.28, followed by Brazil with USD 0.40 and Peru with USD 0.48.
The list continues with Nicaragua (USD 0.55), Chile (USD 0.64) and Honduras (USD 0.78). The Dominican Republic is in eighth place with USD 0.79, ahead of Ecuador with USD 1.00 and Paraguay with USD 1.04.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, Cuba holds the highest price in the region, reaching nearly USD 2.71 per GB of mobile data. Other nations with significant tariffs include Puerto Rico (USD 2.58), Mexico (USD 2.50) and Bolivia (USD 2.24).
credits for the images of this post: Deultimominuto.net
