According to the latest Speedtest Global Index report, which ranks internet speeds worldwide, Paraguay is placed 61st for broadband internet in December 2025, outranking Germany, (66), Mexico (73), and Russia (79), amongst others. However, challenges persist despite these advancements in Paraguay’s internet connectivity. As for mobile internet, there is work to be done: Paraguay ranks 100, gaining one place since the last Speedtest Global Index.
Internet access in Paraguay has seen sustained progress in recent years, creating a landscape of both opportunities and challenges. In response, Paraguay, through the Ministry of Information and Communication Technologies (MITIC), is promoting a series of specific actions to strengthen connectivity and ensure more equitable access to digital services.
Addressing the digital divide
Official data from Paraguay’s National Telecommunications Commission (Conatel) shows that mobile internet has become the primary connection method for the population. There are now more than 5.5 million users, with a strong adoption of 4G technology. Despite this, significant challenges remain, particularly in rural and sparsely populated areas. The government recognises that improvements in speed, latency, and pricing do not, by themselves, eliminate geographical disparities.
This situation makes state intervention essential to ensure connectivity reaches areas where market forces alone are insufficient. The government’s strategy is therefore focused on targeted initiatives to bridge these territorial gaps and guarantee universal access to digital infrastructure.
Strategic infrastructure initiatives
A key strategic decision was the granting of a licence to Starlink in October 2025 for its operations in Paraguay. The availability of low-orbit satellite internet, recently going live in Paraguay’s Chaco area, makes it possible to deliver high-speed connectivity to any point in the country. This includes isolated communities, border areas, and historically underserved regions.
For the state, this technology represents a crucial tool for strengthening essential services such as healthcare, education, and security in locations lacking terrestrial infrastructure. Concurrently, the government is advancing the reinforcement of the National Fibre Optic Network, which is critical for the functioning of a digital state.
Expanding fibre optic and public access
While the Metro Network in Asunción is fully operational and interconnects strategic public institutions, the Trunk Network is undergoing a process of recovery and modernisation. This effort is being carried out in coordination with the national telecommunications company COPACO and the national electricity administration ANDE. The work aims to guarantee long-term capacity, stability, and sustainability for the state’s digital services, with plans to expand its impact to the public in the future.
Furthermore, the Free Internet in Public Spaces programme remains an active policy to reduce the digital divide. With more than 400 operational WiFi points in squares, hospitals, educational institutions, and community spaces, the initiative is making a tangible difference. These access points extend into rural areas, indigenous communities, and the Chaco, ensuring internet access is a readily available tool for daily life, education, and public services.
Enhancing public services through connectivity
Connectivity is also a central component in improving the quality of state services. In the health sector, for example, more than 1,100 establishments use the Health Information System (HIS), which processes millions of appointments annually thanks to a sustained digital infrastructure. In education, last-mile connectivity and satellite solutions are integrating schools that were previously completely disconnected, thereby expanding opportunities for students and teachers.
A practical example of this integration is the access provided to the Hambre Cero (Zero Hunger) programme, a platform created as an entirely digital service.
