People and Organizations Online

2000 saw the most important growth in the industry since it’s beginning in 1995. It is estimated that more than 120,000 people were using Internet at the end of that year. This was definitely considered the "electronic commerce" year in Guatemala. It was during the year 2000 when business users started to design interactive web pages (web-database applications) to satisfy their customers. Many "online" stores were created during this year. This is a great area of opportunity for U.S. "Web Solution" companies. It is also during the first quarter of the year 2000 when some ISPs started offering "free" Internet service to their users.

It is expected that more than 500,000 people will be using the internet at the end of 2002.  Business users have designed their web sites to satisfy their customers.

However, the technology to rural communities being implemented is not from within the country, but with the support of international donors, again suggesting that facilitating communications is not a primary concern of the government.

There is no clear policy for government Internet use or national digitalization in Guatemala. Rather Guatemala is characterized by scattered initiatives funded by international donors, and emergent efforts to form a policy on this issue. Given the extreme cultural, economic, linguistic and geographic stratification of the Guatemalan society, the many barriers to Internet access, the fiscal crisis, and the government agenda for modernization of the state, it is perhaps not surprising that efforts have focused on e-government. With attention focused on more difficult questions related to the peace process, it has been convenient for the state to focus is attention on efforts to modernize the state.

Locally Relevant Content

Information to local people is not made available by the government; however international business owners and donors have implemented programs to educate the rural uneducated people.  Most of the Guatemalan use radio for information.

Thus, the information that will be made available through online means may focus on service clarity, rather than on transparency and accountability. Given problems of access, and the mistrust of civil society actors of the state so soon after then end of the conflict in Guatemala, it can be concluded that government Internet activities are not likely to contribute to an improved relationship between the two groups in the short to medium term. While those civil society people that have Internet access may benefit from the information that they can find on government websites, and through services such as the Ministry of Finance telecentre, questions remain about the quality of this information. Furthermore, as in other Central American countries, the information available through online means continues to be superficial in quality: it does not facilitate accountability, transparency or the ability of civil society to participate in the activities of the state.

ICTs in every day life

Internet is considered as luxury and therefore is not easily accessible for common people. Also most of the Guatemalans are illiterate. However, most of the populations of Guatemala uses cell phones to communicate.

From the perspective of civil society, there are conflicting views on the use of Internet. Currently, mass media, especially radio, is the most effective means of communicating with the majority of Guatemalans. Internet is problematic due to lack of access, language barriers, and illiteracy. There is also a large learning curve for Internet use, which makes it a more difficult technology to implement than radio or television. Finally, Internet is a more individual and reading-based broadcast mechanism, whereas other forms of communication are more collective and respond to the problem of functional illiteracy in the country. However, there is recognition that Internet, if it can be made available in the interior of the country, might be a tool for breaking down barriers and broadcasting a variety of media.

ICTs in the workplace

Private businesses and government offices are equipped with computers, people have access to internet and email facilities

Thus, the state is working to modernize administrative information systems, provide Internet access to state institutions, and ensure that the state has an online presence. The hope is that these systems will allow the government to do more, and more efficiently, the question of radio is troubling as it demonstrates a lack of attention to communications issues that could bridge the large divides in the country. Internet seems to be following in the same path, as national government access programs are focused on small business interests and university students. Both of these groups are likely to be privileged and self-selecting. There is also the suggestion that Guatemala will follow in the footsteps of other Central American countries in pursuing online government services.