As with most economies in the past few years, economic contraction has been the largest inhibitor to growth in the telecom and infrastructure worlds.

Contrary to this, while the economy in Venezuela contracted in 2009, the telecom sectors displayed a 10% growth overall. Why is this?

One of the largest factors for growth in the telecom world in Venezuela is the Venezuelan government.

The government has put in place a policy where as even the poorest families have access to phone and other telecom resources. Under new Bolivarian legislation, telecommunications are now seen as a human right in Venezuela.

So how is it possible for a government, determined to spread and develop technology for its populace, simultaneously cripple and hobble other telecom organizations with the wave of a hand or a stroke of a pen?

The bottom line is the government wants to control what Venezuelans know and see. While the Venezuelan government is a strong proponent of growth in computer network infrastructure, availability, and development, they are also opposed to "net neutrality" and the openness of the Internet.

This is clearly apparent with the government's proposition to monitor and censor all electronic information and material that oppose current politics.