The most recent report from the Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) of Colombia showed a detailed x-ray of the state of connectivity in the country, highlighting both the progress and the pending challenges in terms of access and quality of service. Internet. This document becomes a crucial tool to understand how Colombia is moving towards reducing the digital divide.
In terms of fixed internet access, the report revealed a decrease in the number of connections, settling at 8.91 million as of the date of the report. This data represents a slight decline compared to the previous year, evidencing a challenge in the expansion of fixed internet services throughout the national territory. The access density per 100 inhabitants now stands at 17.09, which represents a reduction of 0.19 percentage points.
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Competition among internet service providers is fierce, with Claro leading the number of fixed connections, closely followed by other companies such as UNE EPM, Movistar, and a list of smaller operators that complete the country’s connectivity ecosystem.
Despite the decrease in the number of connections, The sector reports robust revenues, with UNE EPM being the leader in terms of operational revenues, followed by Claro, Movistar, and ETB, which underlines the economic relevance of the telecommunications industry.
In an encouraging sign of progress, the average download speed has seen a significant increase, reaching 202.4 Mbps. This improvement in connection speed is critical to supporting a wide range of digital needs, from online education to entertainment and business, and will play a key role in ensuring Colombia remains at the forefront of the global digital economy.
The report also highlights how fiber optic technology is closing the gap with traditional cable connections. Fiber optics, known for their ability to deliver much faster internet speeds and greater reliability, are catching up to their cable counterparts, suggesting a trend towards greater adoption of advanced technologies for connectivity in the country.
Another important finding is the considerable regional variation in fixed internet access. While urban areas such as Bogotá and Antioquia show relatively high connection density, departments such as Vaupés and Vichada face enormous challenges due to low internet penetration, reflecting the persistent digital disparity between different regions of Colombia.
When it comes to mobile internet, the outlook is noticeably more optimistic. The country saw robust growth in the number of mobile connections, reaching a total of 45 million. This increase is testament to the increasingly central role that mobile internet access plays in the daily lives of Colombians, offering opportunities for access to information, communication and digital services.
Claro also dominates in this segment, leading operational income, followed by operators such as Tigo, Movistar, and others, which shows vibrant competition in the mobile telecommunications market.
The 4G network, in particular, has proven to be the preferred technology among users, driving not only better quality of service, but also paving the way to the next generation of mobile technologies.
While significant progress has been made, the ICT Ministry’s report highlights the continued need for investment in infrastructure, inclusive policies and innovative strategies to close digital divides, ensuring that all Colombians can benefit from the promises of the digital age.
