Bridging Latin America's Digital Divide: Government Policies and Internet Access

Abstract

Latin American governments are attempting to close the digital divide by enacting policies to increase access to information technologies. This cross-sectional time-series analysis of nineteen countries between 1990 and 2001 examines government policies and Internet usage. Based on the social shaping of technology perspective, this study finds Internet use is strongly associated with wealth and the telecommunications infrastructure. The government policy with the strongest influence on increasing access is changing the tariff structure—such as creating flat-price dialing schemes. Market liberalization and the worldwide spread of the Internet are also associated with increased access.