Page 78 - SAMENA Trends - May-June 2024

ARTICLE SAMENA TRENDS

Empowering Through Connectivity: The Role present unique opportunities; the pressing
of Government and Indotel need for advanced cybersecurity measures, Key Initiatives and Projects:
The Dominican Republic, as the Caribbean’s for instance, opens new avenues for 1. National Broadband Plan: An
largest economy, also has the strongest investment and catalyzes growth within the ambitious initiative aimed at
Internet connectivity in the region, comprising cybersecurity sub-sector. significantly increasing internet
data centers, disaster recovery systems, and accessibility and ensuring
business continuity solutions using state-of- From Vision to Reality: Expanding Digital digital equity.
the-art digital infrastructure, which includes Frontiers 2. Fiberoptic Network Deployment
terrestrial fiber, mobile, and satellite-based A key pillar of the Dominican Republic’s digital Project: Financed by the IDB,
broadband connectivity. strategy is the expansion of its fiber-optic benefiting 23 municipalities
networks. Spearheaded by initiatives and 46 municipal districts in
The Dominican government, primarily through like the collaboration between INDOTEL and the Southern Region.
its telecommunications regulator Indotel, has Wind Telecom, these projects aim to deliver 3. “Dominicana Conectada”
been instrumental in driving digital inclusivity high-speed, low-latency internet services to Project: 1,125 free WiFi access
and enhancing connectivity across the previously underserved regions, dramatically points in public transportation
nation with a special focus on governance improving the quality of life and economic systems, schools, and urban
and regulatory frameworks, broadband opportunities for residents in areas like Villa areas, with an average of
infrastructure and access, education and Gautier, San Pedro de Macorís. Additionally, 757,652 monthly connections.
digital capacity-building, digital government the extension of Telxius' SAm-1 submarine 4. Enabling new technologies:
solutions for citizens, the digital economy, cable enhances global connectivity, ensuring Concession to STARLINK
cybersecurity, and technological innovation at the Dominican Republic remains a competitive Dominican Republic, to provide
large as a part of the national Agenda Digital player in the digital arena. broadband internet access
2030. throughout the national
territory, including 60 accounts
Indotel is actively supporting the national Digital Republic and terminals for public
institutions.
program, a multi-pronged initiative focusing on Education, 5. “Conectar a los no Conectados”
Access, Productivity and Employment, Digital Government, Project: Providing access to 10
remote and hard to reach rural
Cybersecurity, and Social Inclusion. communities, taking advantage
of satellite services.
Navigating Economic Landscapes: The Leveraging Mobile Technology: The Advent of 6. “Canasta Digital Social” Project:
Impact of ICT on Economic Dynamics Broadband and 5G Subsidy for connectivity
The burgeoning growth of the ICT sector is a The Dominican Republic is also witnessing and devices for vulnerable
boon for the Dominican economy, fostering significant advancements in mobile households, impacting 4,300
increased consumption and spurring capital technology with widespread deployment female heads of households in
investment. This sectoral expansion is buoyed of 4G LTE networks and the forthcoming Phase II.
by a favorable external demand environment, introduction of 5G technologies. These 7. “UASD Conectada” Project:
though it is not without its challenges. developments are set to revolutionize internet Financed by the IDB for
Global economic slowdowns and inflationary speeds and reliability, significantly enhancing broadband infrastructure in
pressures loom as potential impediments consumer and business connectivity. This university campuses, will
to sustained growth, highlighting the need competitive market not only improves impact over 100,000 students.
for agile and adaptive strategies within the service quality but also expands coverage, 8. International Public Auction of
sector to navigate these turbulent economic democratizing access to high-quality digital Radio Spectrum: Assignment
waters and harness emerging opportunities services across the nation. of the 3.3GHz and 3.4GHz
effectively. bands for 5G services.
Collaborative Efforts: Government and 9. Renegotiation of Concessions:
Challenges and Opportunities in the Digital Private Sector Innovations Agreement of new terms and
Age Government policies and private sector conditions on the concession
As the country transitions to modern digital initiatives are pivotal in sculpting the ICT contracts to guarantee more
services, it encounters significant challenges landscape. Policies designed to foster investments in underserved
such as the need for technological upgrades competition among telecom operators and areas and legal security.
and heightened cybersecurity measures. attract private investments complement the 10. Expansion of Cable Television
These challenges necessitate substantial efforts of telecom companies and ISPs who Service Concessions: Including
infrastructural and regulatory adjustments, are leading the charge in integrating emerging internet access services to
ensuring that sensitive data is robustly technologies such as IoT and AI. These existing authorizations that
protected and trust in digital platforms is collaborative efforts are crucial in ensuring were limited to cable TV.
maintained. However, these challenges also that all citizens can actively participate in

78 MAY-JUNE 2024