Telecommunications Infrastructure
Computing & Internet Diffusion
Analysis: Strengths & Weaknesses
Analysis: Impacts on non-IT business
Government Policies
Following the deregulation of the telecommunications industry, the De la Rua Admininstration followed the restructuring that the Menem administration had initiated. Along with initiating economic reforms, the new government announced various initiatives to increase the use of the internet and promote the convenience of commerce online to the nation.
Fernando De la Rua Administration
The De la Rua administration expanded economic reforms started by the Menem administration designed to open the Argentine economy and enhance its international competitiveness. Privatization, deregulation of the telecommunications industry, fewer import barriers, and a fixed exchange rate have been cornerstones of this effort (1). Among other things, the Government of Argentina has announced a broad range of initiatives to increase Internet penetration and use for commercial applications and provision of government services. The standard for Digital TV has been opened for review and a decision is expected this year (2).
Executives in the technology sector noted that the government had been open, efficient and responsive to the sector's needs. The opening of the telecommunications market has lowered connection costs and allowed for wider dissemination of Internet usage which has in turn, further the development of e-commerce and new businesses.
All of these changes have dramatically reduced the role of the Argentine state in regulating the domestic market. The reform agenda, however, remains incomplete, and improvements in the judicial system and provincial administration are still needed, among other areas.
