Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Next year, cellular phone coverage in Peru could jump to 80 percent, that is, 80 of every 100 Peruvians would have a cell phone, said Wednesday the head of Alterna Peru Consultancy firm, Liliana Ruíz.

“The cellphone service coverage now ranges between 60 and 65 percent. That is, there are some 19 million active cell phones in Peru. Considering industry growth in the last years, it is very likely that next year, 80 of every 100 Peruvians will have a cell phone”, she said.

Ruiz stated that during the Christmas campaign, cell phone sales would increase significantly.

"Besides, we are taking about a high rate of growth for 2009. While there are some doubts on what would happen in international markets, the local market is based on strong pillars to help it face any external shock”.

Some analysts say our country won’t be affected by this crisis, enabling the telecom sector to keep its dynamism, she added.

Finally, the specialist stated higher cell phone use would also be based on the increase of the number of independent workers, who need a cell phone to do their jobs as fast as possible.