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Internet 

Nicaragua's rate of internet penetration was only 0.43 per 100 inhabitants, the lowest rate in Central America in 2008. [1] In urban areas where this quantitative study was conducted, only 7 percent of respondents said they had web access in their homes. Even though Nicaraguan internet users are a select group, their use habits are of interest to development groups seeking to reach out to technologically influential individuals.

Chart 1

This low-income country does not possess the significant amount public revenue nor private incentive to make the heavy investments required to substantially expand internet's reach throughout the country. What government efforts to expand telecommunications infrastructure that have been conducted were through public-private partnerships with Nicragua’s universal access fund, Fondo de Inversion en las Telecomunicaciones (FITEL). It spearheaded the public-private Rural Telecommunications Project to establish pilot telecentres in 103 municipalities at secondary schools and in government offices, along with extensions of fixed and mobile telephony. A study conducted by FITEL revealed clear demand for internet access as many government officials, business leaders and individuals often traveled to neighboring communities in order to connect to the internet. The pilot school telecentres also established programs were there is schedule time for the community to access the internet.

Internet cafés have become an important component in expanding web access to those who cannot afford home access, particularly for low-income individuals, who make up around 55 percent of urban internet users (based on monthly use rates in the survey). Eighty-five percent of low-income internet users also have at least a secondary education, reflecting the importance of education in the development of e-skills.

Chart 2

Even though the presence of internet cafés has expanded web access to lower-income individuals, income remains a determinant of how often an individual is able to connect to the web. Only 12 percent of low-income individuals access the web on a daily basis, versus 20 percent of high-income urban Nicaraguans.

Chart 3

Young adults in urban Nicaragua are the clear leaders in web use and are also much more likely to go to blogging and social networking websites. Fifty-nine percent of young adult internet users reported visiting social networking websites at least monthly, at least 20 percentage points higher than all other age groups.

Chart 4

All users who accessed social networking websites tended to use them for keeping in touch with and sharing information with family and colleagues. Education level appears to have an effect on use rates of joining or participating in online groups. Only 7 percent of social networking users with a primary education said they join or participate in these groups, whereas 34 percent of university graduates reported doing so.

Chart 5

Blogging has not become regular internet activity for most web surfers. Only about 26 percent of internet users said they read a blog weekly, while even fewer post comments on blogs. The likelihood of being a blogger increases with education level, with university educated urban Nicaraguans most likely to use blogs. In addition, youth populations and men showed higher use than the overall population average for both these activities.

[1] “ICT Statistics Database.” International Telecommunication Union. 2008. Geneva, Switzerland. http://www.itu.int/ITU-D/icteye/Reporting/ShowReportFrame.aspx?ReportName=/WTI/InformationTechnologyPublic&RP_intYear=2008&RP_intLanguageID=1.