Networked Society

To what extent are individuals using information and communication technologies at work and in their personal lives? Are there significant opportunities available for those with ICT skills?

Society

10. People and Organizations Online (Stage 3)

Slightly less than half the Colombian population uses the Internet in any capacity, whether it is for work, school, or home use. The demographic group most likely to use the Internet is those aged 25 to 55 years old. This would seem to indicate that those most likely to be currently in the workforce have at least some use for the Internet. However, more Colombians still use the Internet at home or in Internet cafes than at work.

Colombians use the Internet mostly to get information or to communicate with one another. The activity of least use is e-commerce, followed closely by use for governmental purposes. Other major categories of use would be for entertainment such as music downloads and online gaming, as well as use in education. In a recent visit to Colombia it was observed that social media has begun to take hold. Social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter are becoming popular in the 25 to 55 year old age group. While as few as two years ago most people were not using the Internet in any capacity, this recent observation may indicate that the technology adoption rate is increasing rapidly.

Gender/ Age Range		Total number of persons	Used Internet	Did Not use Internet
Gender/ Age Range		5 years old and over	in last 12 mo	in last 12 mo
TOTAL		20,104,068	7,548,288	12,555,781
	5 to 11	2,713,708	723,422	1,990,286
	12 to 17	2,404,118	1,715,718	688,400
	18 to 24	2,768,660	1,736,384	1,032,276
	25 to 55	9,408,352	3,134,899	6,273,453
	56 and over	2,809,232	237,865	2,571,367
Men	Sub total	9,565,823	3,766,321	5,799,502
	5 to 11	1,364,908	376,852	988,056
	12 to 17	1,256,963	869,580	387,383
	18 to 24	1,340,951	850,382	490,569
	25 to 55	4,380,839	1,530,205	2,850,634
	56 and over	1,222,162	139,303	1,082,859
Women	Sub total	10,538,245	3,781,966	6,756,279
	5 to 11	1,348,799	346,570	1,002,229
	12 to 17	1,147,155	846,138	301,017
	18 to 24	1,427,708	886,002	541,707
	25 to 55	5,027,513	1,604,694	3,422,819
	56 and over	1,587,070	98,563	1,488,507

Major Cities	# of people who used Internet	At Home		At Work		At School		Location of free public access		Location with public access with charge		A Neighbor or Friend’s Home
		At Home		At Work		At School		Location of free public access		(Internet Cafe)
		Si	No	Si	No	Si	No	Si	No	Si	No	Si	No
TOTAL 24 Cities	7,548,288	3,309,888	4,238,399	1,855,156	5,693,132	2,010,447	5,537,840	310,700	7,237,587	3,560,649	3,987,639	1,226,602	6,321,686
MEDELLIN A.M.	1,151,379	584,325	567,054	320,012	831,367	389,138	762,242	101,912	1,049,467	351,830	799,549	214,831	936,548
BARRANQUILLA A.M.	350,330	155,443	194,887	99,251	251,079	111,837	238,493	4,445	345,885	142,851	207,479	32,354	317,976
BOGOTA	3,085,896	1,475,608	1,610,288	805,638	2,280,258	757,180	2,328,716	95,426	2,990,470	1,450,890	1,635,006	504,467	2,581,429
CARTAGENA	194,810	74,182	120,628	40,018	154,793	49,662	145,148	2,085	192,726	99,906	94,904	17,955	176,856
TUNJA	56,588	13,020	43,569	12,683	43,905	17,873	38,715	560	56,029	35,713	20,875	3,658	52,930
MANIZALES A.M.	135,733	59,323	76,410	30,477	105,256	46,881	88,852	4,119	131,614	56,566	79,167	29,806	105,927
FLORENCIA	31,766	8,739	23,027	7,444	24,322	9,063	22,703	1,009	30,757	20,193	11,573	4,377	27,389
POPAYAN	65,670	16,190	49,480	9,053	56,617	8,736	56,934	1,161	64,509	41,495	24,175	1,332	64,338
VALLEDUPAR	87,562	27,063	60,499	14,405	73,157	33,528	54,034	3,464	84,099	51,758	35,804	11,850	75,713
MONTERIA	81,010	22,733	58,277	16,998	64,013	17,883	63,128	387	80,623	47,505	33,506	7,924	73,086
QUIBDO	12,101	3,756	8,345	2,604	9,496	2,807	9,294	879	11,221	7,320	4,781	2,626	9,475
NEIVA	109,803	39,512	70,292	22,550	87,253	22,071	87,732	2,640	107,163	62,250	47,553	23,094	86,709
RIOACHA	34,343	8,053	26,290	6,263	28,081	12,059	22,285	781	33,563	20,169	14,174	3,302	31,041
SANTA MARTA	118,245	33,119	85,126	17,441	100,804	23,202	95,044	6,680	111,566	74,640	43,605	21,386	96,859
VILLAVICENCIO	135,707	42,584	93,123	25,296	110,411	11,606	124,101	1,706	134,001	76,811	58,895	9,193	126,513
PASTO	117,352	37,923	79,428	26,755	90,597	44,672	72,680	1,862	115,490	67,109	50,243	18,262	99,090
CUCUTA A.M.	193,575	60,783	132,792	31,721	161,855	36,950	156,625	5,425	188,150	115,993	77,583	23,361	170,214
ARMENIA	92,013	36,851	55,162	19,412	72,601	25,810	66,203	1,684	90,329	49,949	42,064	18,848	73,165
PEREIRA A.M.	221,096	97,525	123,571	45,812	175,283	66,160	154,935	4,422	216,674	108,801	112,294	47,428	173,667
BUCARAMANGA A.M.	329,912	158,957	170,955	68,664	261,247	83,669	246,243	5,292	324,620	147,267	182,645	37,039	292,873
SINCELEJO	52,952	12,622	40,330	9,020	43,932	17,065	35,886	360	52,592	32,516	20,436	3,855	49,097
IBAGUE	161,935	53,652	108,284	32,050	129,886	43,072	118,863	3,470	158,465	103,975	57,961	31,832	130,103
CALI A.M.	718,619	285,595	433,024	188,246	530,374	176,396	542,223	59,210	659,409	389,283	329,337	156,798	561,821
SAN ANDRES	9,889	2,333	7,557	3,342	6,547	3,126	6,763	1,722	8,168	5,860	4,029	1,024	8,865

We rate Colombia’s online presence for people and organizations as Stage 3. Slightly less than half of the country’s citizens are regular Internet users, though this number is increasing rapidly.

11. Locally Relevant Content (Stage 3)

Language is a consideration for any foreign company considering an investment in Colombia. The primary language spoken is Spanish, with only 7 percent of the population being bilingual (English/Spanish). Software intended for domestic use must contain Spanish language capabilities. The key challenge to domestic Colombian providers is to offer current and relevant information in a format that is accessible by its audience.

Current services provided to the citizens are:

General municipal information
An electronic system for viewing public contracts and responding to government tenders
Public institution information and services for the general public, private companies and civil servants
Virtual libraries and museums
Cultural events such as carnivals, fairs, and other celebrations

Recently, government agencies in Colombia established websites filled with information relevant to citizens and potential investors alike. An organization dedicated to educating and assisting foreign technology investors, Proexport, and its English language version, www.investincolombia.com was recently established by the Colombian government.

We rate Colombia’s locally relevant content as Stage 3. There are multiple resources available to both citizens and interested foreign parties alike. The availability of English-language local information is still somewhat limited, which could prove to be a barrier to western foreign investment.

12. Information & Communication Technologies in Everyday Life (Stage 2)

Most urban Colombians prefer more traditional media, such as newspapers, radio, and television. There are approximately 1,600 radio stations throughout Colombia. The government is working on control standards to guarantee the relevance and quality of the contents these stations produce.

Although most Colombian municipalities have web sites, most of the government websites as well as the educational portals do not compile any data regarding the users of the site. The government is working through the process of setting up quality control methods and enhancing the delivery of information to the public sector.

We rate Colombia’s ICT in everyday life as Stage 2. The majority of the Colombian population does not rely on technical means to support their daily activities. The adoption of technology is expanding rapidly, driven by government initiatives and foreign investment in technology centers.

13. Information & Communication Technologies in the Workplace (Stage 3)

Computers and phones are generally available in the workplace to conduct business. According to 2005 census data about 20% of people used a computer to complete their work, less than those simply using it at home for personal purposes.

Technology use in business has grown recently. Credit card usage has increased, requiring networks to become more robust. Networks for point of sale systems have been established in many retail outlets. Sophisticated wireless networks are being established to handle the increased demand by business owners to be connected. There has also been an increase in the establishment of networks across branches of retail establishments. Banks and utilities pioneered their use and the technology is trickling down to smaller businesses as price points come down and technology becomes more readily available.

We rate Colombia’s ICTs in the workplace a Stage 3. Though networks and technology-based transactions are becoming more commonplace, technology usage in business is not yet widespread. The bulk of Internet usage is for personal and recreational purposes. Major advances in efficiency and productivity through the implementation of technological solutions have not yet been realized, though major strides are being made in this direction.

Colombia’s Networked Readiness

Republic of Colombia

Networked Society

10. People and Organizations Online (Stage 3)

11. Locally Relevant Content (Stage 3)

12. Information & Communication Technologies in Everyday Life (Stage 2)

13. Information & Communication Technologies in the Workplace (Stage 3)