Telecommunications is the most dynamic sector of the Dominican economy today. Orlando Jorge Mera, director of the Dominican Telecommunications Institute, Indotel, told El Siglo newspaper that while the economy declined 1.5% during the first quarter, the telecommunications industry posted a robust 17.4% increase for the period. This was regardless of the negative effects of the high petroleum prices, slowdown of the US economy and a hefty increase in taxes at the year’s start. Jorge Mera said that the growth should continue as telecommunications companies have plans to invest upwards of RD$17 billion or US$1,000 million in the DR in 2001. This is up from RD$12,300 million invested in 2000. He said that US-Sprint, Telmex of Mexico, Telefonica de España and Digi Cell from Ireland are interested in investing in the Dominican market, joining Verizon, Tricom, France Telecom and Centennnial. Other revealing telecom stats are: 18.7% of the Dominican population has a telephone. DR is seventh among nations with the most telephone traffic with the US. Telecom growth rate of average 23% over the past five years. Consistent growth over the past five years of: 16.3% (1996); 19.3% (1997); 20.4% (1998); 16.6% (1999); 15.7% (2000). Indotel data shows there are 338 radio stations, 46 television stations, four telephone companies and 119 cable TV companies.
