From how many devices do people connect to the Internet in ultra-rural areas?

Asteo Observatory

In the ultra-rural areas that do have Internet, there is a large presence and use of devices that work best with fixed network connectivity and yield data very similar to those of urban centers. We highlight the detail of “have Internet” because it is important to remember because it is important to remember that currently in municipalities with less than 30,000 inhabitants and below 100 residents/km2 the fiber coverage is 60% compared to 88% nationally. Therefore, from how many devices are connected in towns with less than 1,000 people?

According to the study conducted by the ASTEO Observatory on “Digital habits in rural populations”. “Digital habits in rural populations“, on average, residents in municipalities with less than 1,000 inhabitants have 5.4 devices to connect to the Internet and use 4.4 very frequently.

What are the devices with the highest usage?

1.- Mobile phone (97%)

2.- Laptop (82%)

Smart TV ( 62%)

4.- Tablet/iPad (58%)

5.- Desktop PC (46%)

Smart devices (such as Alexa) and consoles are below 30%; while e-books, video surveillance systems and home automation equipment are below 20%.

And what activities do Internet users in these populations engage in most frequently at the individual level?

89% surf the net, 83% use e-mail, 79% use it for social networks/messaging, 68% to do business with the bank, and 52% to enjoy movies, series or watch sports. To a lesser extent, but with relevant percentages of use, are shopping online (50%), administrative procedures (40%) and listening to podcasts or radio (34%).

And from where do they make these connections? Mostly 92% connect from home.

In conclusion, once the residents of these rural and ultra-rural areas have access to Internet through fiber with good quality and speed, usage is intensive and in high demand.

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Patricia Moreno Pacheco

Deployment Project Manager

Trained as an architect at the University of Seville and with international experience after her studies at the Leibniz Universität Hannover, she has a multidisciplinary technical profile. He stands out for his analytical capacity and leadership in telecommunications infrastructures, providing a highly consolidated strategic vision.

Her career began in civil architecture, working as a Municipal Architect and energy certifier. In 2017 she oriented her career towards the telco sector by joining Nokia as FTTx Network Design Engineer. For five years, he participated in large multinational deployments for operators in the USA, Italy, Chile, the Philippines and Germany. Later, at Inelcom, he took over team management and implementation support for the German UGG network, mastering the construction and last mile phases. All this international supervisory experience brought her to Asteo Red Neutra in 2023, where she manages field operations as Deployment Manager.

Away from blueprints and fiber optics, he is an active person who likes to enjoy his free time. He is passionate about climbing, paddle tennis and traveling, always looking for new environments to disconnect.

David Moreno Llorente

Director of Network Infrastructure and IT Systems

With more than 25 years of experience in the telecommunications sector in Spain, David has developed a solid track record of technical and operational excellence. His profile stands out for a clear focus on continuous improvement, results-oriented management and team management and development.

His career began in 1998 at UFINET, where for more than two decades he evolved professionally to consolidate his position as Director of Network Operation and Maintenance. During this period, he led strategic Engineering & Maintenance (E&M) projects, as well as service transformation and outsourcing initiatives, and performed transversal functions in the Operation and Maintenance units of the different countries in which the company operated, contributing to the standardization of processes and the improvement of operational efficiency.

In 2018, following the creation of Lyntia as an independent company from UFINET's infrastructure business, he continued his professional development as Director of the Operation and Maintenance units, both Access and Transport, providing a key strategic vision for the company.

All this experience in critical infrastructure management led him to Asteo Red Neutra in 2024, where he is currently in charge of the operational area as head of the company's Network Infrastructures and IT Systems.

Outside the professional sphere, David disconnects from technology through his passions: rally raids, scuba diving and cooking with his family.

Laura Díaz

Marketing and Communications Director

With 20 years of experience, Laura has developed the communication strategy for national and international companies. Since the official launch of ASTEO Red Neutra, she has led its communication and content strategy as an external consultant, until her incorporation to the team.

She started her career as a journalist in the IT sector. She specialised in Communication, advising companies in various sectors (banking, asset management, private equity, insurance and insurtech or telecommunications). She led Evercom's Financial Communication department, in charge of the area's growth strategy and the management of the team and clients.

She graduated in journalism from the Universidad Católica Andrés Bello, in Venezuela, took the ABC-UCM master's degree in journalism, and complemented her education with studies in International Business at Dublin Business School, and sustainability at the University of Cambridge.

Married to Santi, she is the mother of two children and, whenever she has some free time, she loves going swimming and to the cinema or enjoying long dinners with friends.

Alfonso García

Director of Business Development and Operations

A Telecommunications Engineer from the Polytechnic University of Madrid and PDD training at the University of Navarra IESE, he has more than 20 years of experience in Telecommunications in leading companies, leading the development of fibre infrastructures and management work in the commercialisation of fibre optic networks.

He began his experience in the Telecommunications Sector in Engineering, Technology and Deployment Departments of data and fibre networks in companies such as Payma Comunicaciones, Iberdrola Ingeniería y Consultoría and Madritel Comunicaciones. After this first technical stage, he developed his more commercial experience in the Iberdrola Group, taking over the Commercial Management of Iberdrola's Fibre Optic Network for Telecommunications Operators for 15 years. Before joining ASTEO Red Neutra, he was an advisor to CableRunner Iberica’s president and Commercial Director of GTD Spain, a Dark Fibre Neutral Operator for National and International Operators and DataCenters in Spain.

Alfonso is convinced of the potential of fibre networks, so he decided to focus his career on this technology from the very beginning.

A father of two, a lover of gastronomy and cooking, he is happy to cook on weekends for his family and friends. In love with skiing in winter and water sports in summer.

Luis Rodríguez

Luis Rodríguez

ASTEO’s CFO and HR Director

With more than 7 years of experience, he has worked in the financial departments of international companies, mainly in SICE CANADA INC (ACS Group Company) based in Toronto and Golden Agri-Resources (Sinarmas Group Company, listed on the Singapore Stock Exchange).

As Chief Financial and Human Resources Officer of SICE Canada Inc, he was responsible for managing the acquisition of capital assets, negotiating financial products with banks and financing entities, preparing and reporting the EEFFs to the parent company and ensuring regulatory compliance, among many other responsibilities.

Luis holds a degree in Economics from the University of Seville and an MBA from the University of Cadiz. In his free time he likes to practise all kinds of sports, especially crossfit and downhill.

Manuel Garnelo

Manuel Garnelo

ASTEO’s CTO and Chief Operating Officer

Responsible for the Engineering and Technology, Deployment and O&M (Operation and Maintenance) Departments. He has more than 20 years of experience in the telecommunications sector. Manuel has been responsible for FTTH deployments at Lyntia, Director of the Central Delegation at Verne, Head of FTTH deployments at Ericsson in the Mediterranean region and of the FTTH Centre of Excellence in Spain.

A Telecommunications Engineer from the Polytechnic University of Madrid, he is an enthusiast of the right of people to have a broadband connection and of the connected society.

Married to Teresa and father of two daughters, in his spare time he repairs and collects old radios and gramophones: if you have a lamp radio and you want to get rid of it, don't throw it away! He will take care of them. He will take care of them.