The president of the Dominican Telecommunications Institute, Indotel, lawyer Orlando Jorge said that the Dominican telecommunications sector is one of the most dynamic in the world, ranked in 55th place re the Technology Achievment Index according to the 2001 Human Development Report published by the United Nations Development Program. He said the sector is the most dynamic in the country, with a 21% share of the Gross Domestic Product in the first half of 2001 compared to the same period of 2000. The telecommunications sector share of the Gross Domestic Product in the first half of 2001 is of 6.3%. Investment this year of RD$8 billion (almost US$500 million) could be equalled or surpassed by competing telecom companies in 2002. In a recent talk at the American Chamber of Commerce luncheon he gave statistics on the sector: Telephone lines: 894,164. 8.2% in comparison to 1999. Telephone density went from 9.9% in 1999 to 10.5% in 2000. Mobile phones: 705,431. Increase of 66% in 2000. Wireless connections went from 5% in 1999 to 8% in 2000. This is up from 1% of the population in 1996. Internet usage: From 5,819 accounts in 1996 to 52,761 accounts in 2000. Growth of 73.5% over 4 years.
