Dominican Republic It is among the Caribbean countries with the speeds of 5g fasterbut it is still far from achieving a massive coverage or to convert this technology into an accessible service for the majority of the population. This is noticed by the latest report of Ooklacompany specialized in connectivity analysis and internet speeds.
In exclusive conversation with Diario Libre, Kerry Bakerindustry analyst in Ooklarecognized the advances achieved in the country, especially in terms of infrastructure and allocation of spectrum. “Indotel has done its job when placing spectrum on the market so that it is altice and clear can build networks 5g With phases of coverage Well defined, “Baker explained.
In his opinion, one of the most relevant aspects is the assignment of the 700 MHz band to unattended communities, an important step in digital inclusion. However, he warned: “It is positive that the 700 MHz band It has been assigned to unattended communities, but staying in that path will be key. “
The speed It is not the problem. According to data from Ookla, Dominican Republic has the Third faster 5g network of the Caribbean, only behind Guadalupe and Martinica. The discharge average reaches 367.78 Mbps, well above Puerto Rico, which marks 129.23 Mbps, and Bermuda, with 86.27 Mbps. speed As a rise, the country also shows an outstanding performance, with 23.49 Mbps, just below Aruba, Martinica and Guadalupe.
The problem is that these figures only benefit one small portion of users. When the coverage and the real access to 5gthe situation changes drastically. Only 34.7% of compatible devices in Dominican Republic They manage to connect to a network 5gwhile in Puerto Rico that figure amounts to 87.4% and in Bermuda to 82.1%.
- Even Aruba, with lower market size, exceeds the country with 59.8% availability.
“The price of 5G phones is the main barrier to adoption. Technology will be reduced over time, but Altice and of course they need to act now”Industry Analyst in Ookla
“The Dominican market has rapid speeds because the network 5g It is relatively unemployed. But that means that there are few connected users. What is missing is massification, no speed“He summarized Kerry Baker.
The report of Ookla shows a pattern in the region: the 5g display is concentrating on High income areastourist areas or territories linked to large global operators. In Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, for example, high availability is due to the fact that they are part of the expansion of T-Mobile and Liberty, companies that have invested strong in 5g. Bermuda and the Cayman Islands have a different but equally favorable scenario: they are territories with high per capita income and a competitive market with three operators, which accelerated the coverage.
- Aruba opted for a tourist strategy, prioritizing the 5g display in hotel corridors and coastal areas where international tourism is concentrated.
Dominican Republicon the other hand, shows a hybrid model. He has started a 5g display in urban areas and in Tourist polesbut most of the national territory still depends on 4G. Access to 5g It remains, in practice, a privilege of sectors with greater purchasing power.
He device cost
The main barrier is not technological, but economic. He device cost It is still the great obstacle for him 5g become a Mass service. “The price of phones 5g It is the main barrier to adoption. Technology will be cheaper over time, but Altice and of course need to act now, “Baker insisted.
It urges companies to promote equipment renewal through exchange programs, accessible financing or the creation of combined packages that include services from optical fiber along with a plan 5g.
Another factor, in your opinion, that limits expansion is the lack of a Third Operator that dynamizes the competence. In markets such as Bermuda and Las Caimán, the entry of new players, such as Paradise Mobile, has forced traditional companies to accelerate their deployments and lower prices.
In Dominican Republicthat possibility seems distant. “A third player could help lower prices and improve service quality, but VIVA did not participate in the auction of spectrum 5g. There is no disruptor similar to Bermuda or Cayman, “Baker explained.
In addition to the mobile service, there is still an unleashed potential: the 5g as Wireless fixed Internetan option to offer high connectivity speed in areas where optical fiber It has not arrived.
Baker considers that this model can be a strategic route to monetize the infrastructure already installed. “Wireless fixed access It is a way to monetize the idle capacity of the network 5g and capture customers now, which could then migrate to fiber, “he suggested.
