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Executive SummaryInternetMore than half of the regions Internet users are in Brazil and Mexico, but Uruguay, Puerto Rico and Chile have the highest user penetration.There are considerable differences in the Internet user statistics provided by various sources, and also in the methods used by each countrys regulator to assess Internet usage. Therefore, an accurate assessment of the regions Internet market is not easy. Yet, even though estimates for Latin America may vary, all sources point to one uncontrovertible fact: the continuing and rapid growth in the number of Internet users.BroadbandLatin America is one of the worlds most promising broadband markets, growing at an annual rate of around 87% in 2004. Large multinational groups are eager to invest in anything to do with Internet and e-commerce in Latin America, and especially in technologies which offer faster and more economical access. The broadband market does vary considerably from country to country, but as a whole, the region is making giant strides forwards in the adoption of high-speed Internet.The Latin American broadband leaders are Brazil, Chile, Argentina and Mexico, and in early 2005 these four countries accounted for 87% of all broadband subscribers in the region.The options most available in the region are cable modem, ADSL, wireless broadband and satellite broadband. Of these, ADSL has emerged as the clear leader.ConvergenceIn its broadest sense, convergence in the communications industry means combining various services voice and data transmission, Internet access, video, cable TV and/or other multimedia broadband applications into a single package.Latin America has only just recently begun to develop convergence strategies. Triple Play, which combines fixed line, broadband and pay TV, has made its appearance in Chile, Mexico and Brazil. Fixed/Mobile Convergence, which combines fixed line, mobile and data communications, can be found in Mexico. Also, many Latin American countries have begun to combine VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) with broadband service. |