Mobile Telephony in Latin America and Brazil: Similarities and Singularities

Abstract

The development of Information and Communication Technologies in Latin America as well as in some developing countries calls the attention. However, none of these technologies presents numbers as high as those of the mobile phones. The number of mobile devices grows visibly in Latin America, especially when compared to fixed lines. To better understand these high numbers that involve mobile telephony in the region it is necessary to understand some aspects of economical, social and political contexts that ultimately influence this development of mobile telephony. Issues such as social inequality, economic crises, privatization of fixed and mobile telephony companies, together with the infrastructure of the region are some of these aspects. After discussing these issues, we will focus more specifically in the Brazilian case which although sharing most characteristics of other Latin American countries, also has its singularities regarding the introduction and dissemination of information and communication technologies, especially the mobile phones. Besides being the country with the largest number of handsets, Brazil also collects the title of most expensive mobile telephony in Latin America, which restricts the use of mobile phones by many users. Other aspects such as the advancement of mobile technologies in the country, the current market and the used technologies are also contemplated.   Keywords: Mobile Telephony; Latin America; Brazil; Inequality.     Submission date: 2011-04-24 Acceptance date: 2011-10-20