There is good news for Colombia and is leading the increase in Internet penetration in Latin America with 467 users per 1,000 inhabitants. Reviewed by Jorge Silva, General Manager of Microsoft Colombia.

Ever is a consultant specializing in business, development and maintenance of technological applications? A few days ago presented the latest edition of the Society Indicator Information (ISI) in Latin America to measure the overall performance of each country based on the analysis of indicators of the social, economic, institutional, infrastructure and access to Information Technology and Communications (ICT) in every nation.

The good news of the report on this indicator is that Colombia leads the increase of Internet penetration in Latin America with 467 users per 1,000 inhabitants. I listened to Luis Redone, CEO and partner of Colombia ever is “This represents an increase of 18.9% compared to the same period of 2009, well above the average growth of countries like Argentina, Brazil, Chile , Peru and Mexico. ” An important fact because it shows part of the efforts of governments and various sectors to narrow this digital divide.

This fact, coupled with economic factors and environment of the Information Society (ESI) and others primarily as a reduction in inflation (two and a half points less than the same period last year), is what makes that the ISI of Colombia has risen 0.4% compared to previous results. This means that for this year reached 4.34 points. Remains the lowest in the region.

In the case of mobile telephony, the country also presents interesting data. ISI calculations ever are say that next year there will be 948 phones per thousand inhabitants. Not bad considering that it is through the mobile communication platform that many Colombians (about one million) have access to the Internet to improve their quality of life.

Other figures from the ISI in the region tell me that Colombia is ready to quantum leap. Contributed to these results, for example, annual spending on ICT per capita rose to U.S. $ 485 equivalent to an annual rise of 17.4%, online retail sales increased to $ 40 per person per year corresponding to an increase of 36.6% and the strengthening of most currencies against the dollar with the exception of the Argentine peso. Also in terms of projections, according ever is for the second quarter of 2011, the ISI could overcome the effects of the global financial crisis, reaching a new high of 4.61 points.

Therefore, a quantum leap in different scenarios: infrastructure, access to computers, sect oral policies and programs that encourage the technology and telecommunications are appropriate with greater vigor in all sectors of our society. Efforts should be-then-for Colombia to become the third largest economy in the region.

The bet is not crazy and becomes a clear target. For the technology industry, which touches on a cross all sectors, the challenge is important. Business and investment focused on empowering business processes and pave the way for people to have more opportunities with the technology.