High cost of internet service: the main “barrier” to disconnection in the country’s homes

Santo Domingo—Although internet use has increased in recent years, in some provinces of the Dominican Republic, households still have very limited access to this service, according to a report published by the National Statistics Office (ONE) on Information and Communication Technologies (ICT).

The main reason for this “barrier” is people’s pockets. According to data from ONE, 35.5% of households have registered an online disconnection because the price of the service “is expensive.”

According to the report published on Friday 15, the high cost of internet devices or equipment, at 19%, also represents another obstacle to online access in the surveyed households.

Other reasons include having access to the internet elsewhere (13.3%), not knowing how to use it (9.5%), not having devices to connect to the internet (4%), not needing the internet because it is not helpful or exciting (3%), not having the service available in the area (1.3%), and other obstacles that slow down the passage to the network.

“The percentage of households with internet service has increased; however, inequalities between urban and rural areas remain over time, with a percentage difference of more than 18 points,” said the ONE.

For example, between 2017 and 2022, 50.8% of households in urban areas reported having internet service, while in rural areas the figure was 32.7%.

The report also stressed that “98% of households declared that they owned some type of device or service, regardless of the sex of the head of household”.

The report indicated that a third of the population does not have these benefits regarding significant internet connectivity, such as quality, frequency, and an “adequate” device.

Provinces with the lowest and highest percentage of internet service

In 2022, the province that registered the lowest percentage of households with internet service was Elías Piña, with 11.3%.

It is followed by Pedernales, with 12.5%; Independencia (15.8%); and Bahoruco (16%). These are border provinces located in the south of the country.

According to the report, 67.2% of households in the province of Santiago registered a greater internet connection.

It is followed by the National District (63.7%), Espaillat (56.4), Puerto Plata (54.4%), Valverde (54%), Monsignor Nouel (52.6%), Mirabal Sisters (52%). The houses of Santo Domingo reported 49.6%.