Document :

ITU-D SG01  Contribution  50

Title :

Programme to Improve Connectivity for Digital Transformation of the Dominican Republic

Date :

2026-02-25

Source :

Dominican Rep.

AI/Question :

Q1/1

Meeting :

2026-04-13

Access :

Restricted to TIES users [ITU-D]

Abstract :

The Dominican Republic, through the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (INDOTEL) and with financing from the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), is implementing the Programme to Improve Connectivity for Digital Transformation. The aim of the programme is to reduce the digital divide in rural and underserved localities where Internet penetration rates range from just 0.9 to 3.8 per cent, against a national average of 9.2 per cent. Phase 1 of the programme has connected 16 346 households and 132 public institutions in the south of the country using optical fibre, through contracts with the operators Claro (53 localities) and Exatech (14 localities). Phase 2 is currently in the contract award process. It will benefit 87 additional localities, 26 892 households and 139 public institutions - including schools, primary care centres and police posts - across 36 municipalities. The model that has been adopted combines regulation, international financing and public-private partnerships to ensure sustainable connectivity in communities historically excluded from the digital ecosystem.