Living in Peru : your everyday companion

Living in Peru
Jobana Soto

Wireless is increasing in popularity as more and more are getting connected through their mobile phones or cable modems. In a recent study by IDC Consultoria, a reported 659,618 Peruvians are connected to wireless Internet via cable modem, a 21 percent increase since last year’s study.

While the number of wireless subscribers is not a major boost, studies show the increase is sufficient enough to take notice that wireless is becoming a popular means of connection. By 2010, IDC predicts a least one million users will be connected to wireless.

The bulk of Internet users come from personal homes at 80 percent, while businesses and residential markets have increased by 39 and five percent respectively. Nearly 6,000 businesses are subscribed to wireless.

With wireless subscribers on the rise, the pressure is on to increase Internet speed to support the amount of users wanted a better, faster signal.

General Manager of Cisco Peru, Álvaro Merino, says progress needs to be made to increase Internet speed by more than 1Mbps so connection can support those who use the Internet for wikis, instant messaging services, uploading videos among others.

Right now, the majority of wireless users are connected at 256 Kbps and 512 Kbps at 43 percent. To use advanced Internet functions, velocity needs to increase to support it and the increasing numbers of wireless users, said Merino.