Open AccessThe effects of telecommunications infrastructure on Latin America’s economic growth
Author(s) -
Fadi Fawaz,
Ani Popiashvili,
Anis Mnif
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
problemas de desarrollo/problemas del desarrollo
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2007-8951
pISSN - 0301-7036
DOI - 10.22201/iiec.20078951e.2021.206.69627
Subject(s) - latin americans , information and communications technology , the internet , electricity , telecommunications , business , internet access , key (lock) , economics , engineering , computer science , political science , computer security , electrical engineering , world wide web , law
We examine the effects of telecommunications infrastructure on economic growth in 15 countries of Latin America (LA) for the period 1995-2016. We estimate the aggregate relationship of economic growth with electricity access, individuals using the internet, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) imports, while accounting for other key macroeconomic variables using a static and dynamic model. The results confirm that there is a positive relationship between economic growth and electricity access, internet accessibility, and ICT imports. These results provide evidence to conclude that telecommunications infrastructure contributes to economic growth for LA countries.