ICT

A highly competitive market has ensured mobile usage has expanded rapidly, and companies continue to invest in the networks, despite finding their margins squeezed. In some ways, Peru is playing technological catch-up. Key indicators lag behind similar economies in the region, and slow progress in rolling out regional fibre-optic networks has stalled the government’s plans to digitally connect the entire country. However, a competitive market pushing operators to improve services and lower prices means that there has been progress in mobile coverage. With one of the most positive economic outlooks in Latin America, stable domestic demand and impressive growth in new segments such as agri-business, Peru certainly has the potential to be a centre for innovation. More agile government policy, including digitalising the state apparatus itself, could see Peru become a major player in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This chapter contains an interview with Mariana Costa, CEO and Co-founder, Laboratoria.