Dominican Republic Invests $20 Million to Increase Broadband Coverage

The Dominican Republic is investing over $20 million to expand optical fiber in its southern provinces. This will bring high-speed internet to 145,000 residents across 23 municipalities and 46 districts.

The project aims to provide free broadband to 343 public institutions. These include 153 schools, 67 mayoral offices, 55 primary care centers, 10 hospitals, and 45 police detachments.

Provinces set to benefit include Elias Piña, San Juan, Bahoruco, Barahona, Independencia, Pedernales, Azua, San Cristobal, and San Jose de Ocoa, according to the President’s office.

To make internet access more affordable, the government is launching a broadband plan for low-income households. For just $5 (299 pesos), families can access the network for six years.

Claro, a subsidiary of Mexican telecom giant América Móvil, will lead the rollout alongside Exactech. The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) is financing much of the project.

The Caribbean nation is rapidly expanding high-speed internet. Its telecom regulator, Indotel, has increased minimum broadband speeds. Download speeds now start at 30 Mbps, up from 4 Mbps. Upload speeds have jumped from 1 Mbps to 10 Mbps.

Other operators are also expanding networks. Wind Telecom is installing fiber in Villa Gautier and San Pedro de Macorís. Liberty, a regional telecom giant, plans to invest $250 million over five years for the Caribbean region. The company manages three of the country’s five submarine cables.