Pau Puig, telecommunications specialist at the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), presented data on coverage and digital gaps.

In his presentation at CLTD 2025, he noted that 94% of the population in Latin America lives in areas with mobile network coverage, meaning that 6% of the Latin American population remains outside the reach of networks. Additionally, among those with coverage, 31% do not use mobile services due to various affordability related challenges.

Puig emphasized the need to evaluate new schemes that enable network expansion into areas with low or no coverage, while also promoting the affordability of devices and services, as well as the development of digital skills.

He warned that usage gaps involve “a more complex conversation that has so far been outside the sector’s scope, as it includes issues related to gender, geography and income, which means there is a steeper learning curve to provide solutions.”