Communication climbs 3.4% in 1Q, Central Bank

Santo Domingo.- Communications climbed 3.4% in value addedin the first quarter, the Central Bank said Monday in its preliminary report ofthe Dominican economy from January to March.

The Central Bank said from January-March, communications’performance was influenced by increases in the average number of fixed linesand the volume indicator of mobile lines, which grew 5.7% and 2.1%respectively.

Moreover, the Web traffic indicator volume was 2.5% higher thanthe first quarter of 2015.

Meanwhile, the regulator Dominican Telecom Institute(Indotel) said that the penetration of (fixed and mobile) telephone lines jumped101.2% in 2015.

It said 88.1% of the voice lines in operation per 100inhabitants are mobile phones, 11.5% fixed and 1.5% IP (Internet).

The regulator’s 2011 to 2015 data reflect a low growth inthe total penetration of telephone lines. “In 2011 the growth of telephonelines (fixed and mobile) totaled 103.0%, of which 91.5% were mobile, 11.2%fixed and 0.3% IP, while in 2012 rose slightly (103.9% ), 92.3% mobile, 11.2%and 0.5% fixed IP."