More households have Internet access in Ecuador

In the last eight years, the number of households with Internet access has increased in the country. In other words, the increase is 86.4%, between 2014 and 2022. The data is contained in the latest report on Information and Communication Technologies, from the National Institute of Statistics and Censuses (INEC). 

In the urban area, a greater growth in Internet access is observed in Ecuador: from 61.7% to 70.1%.

In the urban area a greater growth is observed: from 61.7% to 70.1%. While in the rural area it went from 34.7% to 38%; taking into account that the figure may increase because the report is cut to July. 

One of the reasons for the growth was the covid-19 pandemic, since people had to do teleworking and virtual classes. 

The Telecommunications Regulation and Control Agency (Arcotel) also manages data on access to Internet service. The number of mobile and fixed Internet accounts was 13.2 million in September 2022 compared to 8.3 million in the same month of 2016. 

The report of this entity also included the number of Internet accounts by province. Pichincha and Guayas lead the list with 777,924 and 764,639, respectively. They are followed by Azuay, Manabí, El Oro and Tungurahua. 

Internet use in the country

INEC also determined how the Internet is used. From the age of 5, people navigate to communicate with others and to check their social networks. In this area they add up to 73.3%. 

They are followed by people who use it for education and learning, with 12.3%; entertainment activities, with 9.2%; for work, 2.9%; to obtain information, 1.6%; and others (online purchases, procedures, books, newspapers, health, financial services, etc.), with 0.8%.