Internet subs up by 6 percent

During the past Year 2010 to 2011, fixed internet subscriptions grew 6 percent and internet service generated revenue of $85 million in the ECTEL Member States.{{more}} This was one of the highlights of the latest report on the electronic communications sector published by the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority, (ECTEL).

The annual report, which covers the period ended March, 2011, noted that there was a strong consumer demand for fixed internet service. Fixed internet subscriptions grew 6 percent to more than 71,300 and fixed internet service generated revenue of EC$85 million.

However, Mobile voice subscriptions in the five ECTEL Member States increased 2 percent and mobile penetration was recorded at 128 percent, while fixed voice penetration continued its decline and fell one percentage point to 25 percent.

The report presented also addressed come specific developments in the countries. Investment in the telecommunications sector in Dominica was up 25 percent and the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank (ECCB) estimated gross value added by the sector at 6.7 percent for the fiscal year 2010. The demand for mobile service in Grenada increased 3 percent and more than half the revenue generated by the sector came from the mobile market. Fixed internet subscription in St Kitts and Nevis, which enjoys the highest internet service penetration in the ECTEL Member States, rose 2 percent and internet service penetration was recorded at 23 percent.

In Saint Lucia, the telecommunications sector contributed 6.9 percent to overall GDP. The sector employed more than 500 persons and attracted an estimated $17 million in investment. The market for fixed internet service recorded positive growth in St Vincent and the Grenadines. Consumer demand for fixed broadband rose 8 percent while revenue generated by the market increased 20 percent and contributed 12 percent to total sector revenue.

The annual Electronic Communications Sector Review is published by the Eastern Caribbean Telecommunications Authority and tracks the performance of the electronic communications sector, using a number of economic and statistical indicators, including sector revenue, investments and service penetration. The report is aimed at informing policy makers and other interested parties on the status and performance of the sector for the reporting period. The electronic communications sector covers telecommunications and broadcast services.

The latest Annual Electronic Communications Sector Review is available from the website www.ectel.int.