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Investment InsightCan You Hear Me Now? Technology & Nicaragua's Future
One great thing about being a "developing" country in the world today is that you most likely do not have any reliance on old technology and hardware, which costs a lot of money to maintain and support. Developing countries, well those that are actually getting developed anyway, have the rare luxury of moving ahead with all new equipment and technology infrastructure. It is these countries which often contain the most high-tech and advanced technology backbones in the world because they are new from the ground up. Having trouble grasping that one? Guess where the cheapest and fastest broadband internet in the world is? Korea, that's right, and 20 years ago it was a "developing" country but now it is far from it on many levels. These folks have gadgets and gizmos in their lives that the US will not see for at least 3 years or more and they continue to advance their systems. Nicaragua is on this same path. Over 95% of the country's land area is undeveloped or underdeveloped. Along with new roads and power plants (YES, they are being built!) there is also a big push for technology infrastructure. Over the past 2 years of living here full time I have seen major advances in technology. I now check my email on a Nokia handheld cell phone at speeds I never had in the US and I even get this service in very remote areas of the country. My VOIP telephone service is crystal clear here in Nicaragua, no matter where I call across the globe, where as I dropped every other call when using the service in the US. Over 85% of the residents in Nicaragua who have a phone use cellular service as their main source of telephonic communication - this is an astounding figure! Wireless technologies are being established as the norm in Nicaragua and this means great things for the future here. Whether you are an investor in Nicaragua or a resident you should be looking closely at a couple of things. First of all is the Internet and the availability of broadband internet services. These services are currently available at limited speeds in some areas of Nicaragua via cable and old school copper delivery systems but this is rapidly changing. Where reliable broadband internet service goes big business and big investment follow. Nicaragua is currently experiencing a push toward a massive rollout of broadband internet services - mainly via a privately held company called Estelarnet. This company is using cutting edge technology, barely even being used in the US, to offer extremely reliable and super fast broadband to even the most remote areas of the country and it can all be done without the use of a single wire! That's correct, totally wireless and even solar powered in many cases. The Internet is fast becoming the heart of business as well as a benchmark for our standard of living and each passing day it changes the future - remember Korea? Another thing to watch for is the affect technology has on property values. Buying land with no services is less expensive than buying land with services. Knowing where the technology services (cell towers, internet, new power, etc.) are being deployed in the near or even distant future can ensure a nice entry position into a market. Big business is heading to Nicaragua, do you think they will buy land that has high-speed internet over a piece that does not? I do and YES it is that simple, technology does matter. Do you think Marriot or Hilton will invest $30 Million in a hotel where their guests have to download emails at 56K? No they will not, they will find a place that offers what today's businesses need - locations that have current technology. Call centers, manufacturers, retailers, health care workers, teachers, even modern farmers, all rely heavily on current technology - Nicaragua sees this need and is filling it. Other areas of the world succeeded in creating great tourism and retirement destinations - Costa Rica, Mexico, the Caribbean - but many of these places overlooked the value that technology could have made in their longevity as a leader in these areas. Nicaragua is not making this mistake, it is creating not only a great tourism destination but also a solid retirement and business destination through the establishment of a competitive technology backbone. Keep this in mind when performing your due diligence and considering where you will invest your money... Remember when it wasn't cool to be a geek? Well what would any of us do today without them? If you need assistance with your technology needs in Nicaragua visit the pros at Estelarnet... Web site - http://www.estelarnet.com By Johnny Tortuga - "Equitable & Forthright Commentary" Send Comments to ~ jtortuga@lagunasa.com Investor FocusRancho de Granada - Rare Opportunity in Granada
Rancho de Granada is perfectly situated to satisfy all of the above needs for the Granada region. It is a large (250+ acre) parcel with over 2.5 miles of road frontage, including 1 mile on the only 4 lane road in Nicaragua, and it sits a mere 3 km from the center of colonial Granada. It is in the center of the region and will be a much more desirable location to serve residents and visitors than Managua. In addition to the prime location the property also has great topography, numerous trees and wide, sweeping views of Lake Nicaragua and Mombacho Volcano. There are two opportunities currently available: The developers of Rancho de Granada will soon be releasing residential lots for investors and locals starting at $17K. This price is far below current retail value for a residential lot with this type of location and will offer the investor an excellent entry position. Multiple lot purchases and packages will be available. Contact Us for complete details and to be placed on the wait list for this incredible opportunity. First come, first served. The second offering will include commercial and large parcel residential subdivision offerings. Parcels of varying size will be made available to investors who are interested in a more substantial opportunity. This is your chance to purchase prime land in a fast growing area. Assistance can be arranged for the planning and development of these parcels if required. Contact Us for complete details. Again - first come, first served. *Note that this property sits on the most traveled highway in the entire country - visibility and location are excellent. Proyecto Laguna - Make a Difference!
Web site - www.proyectolaguna.com Latest News & EventsNicaragua is and always will be in the news and for good reason. Here are some of the latest articles from around the globe....
* This issue's Facts & Figures information was provided by studies and data collected and published by INTUR, the Insituto Nicaraguense de Turismo - a Government Ministry. |
In this issueHOT Investment Tip!
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I can barely remember what life was like before cell phones and email. How did anyone ever get anything done? Today's technology advances are forged into our social and business lives so deeply that, like it or not, they will be a part of us from now on. Our futures are ever more dependent on these technologies and their availability (or lack of) often makes or breaks real estate investment decisions on a daily basis.
Granada has been and is expected to remain the most visited region in Nicaragua. The "Granada Region" includes the colonial towns of Granada and Masaya as well as Laguna de Apoyo, Mombacho Volcano and Catarina to name a few. This area is poised for explosive growth in the coming years due to dramatic increases in the population and tourism, the current housing deficit for locals and the desire of the residents and visitors for additional retail and commercial services.
Community outreach and empowerment is an important part of our work here within Nicaragua. We encourage all developers and investors to get involved on some level. Laguna, SA is proud to support Proyecto Laguna, a non-profit company currently working in the pueblo of Diria. The work performed by the dedicated team at Proyecto Laguna is making a difference on a daily basis. Their efforts are supported solely by donations and they need others to get involved. Please view their web site for complete details, even a small donation will make a direct impact in a child's life.
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