•
Top-level domain:
.cg • 245,200 users, 136th in the world (2009). •
Wireless broadband: 90,906 subscriptions, 120th in the world; 2.1% of the population, 125th in the world (2012). •
Internet hosts: 45 hosts, 215th in the world (2012). •
Internet service providers (ISPs): Afripa telecom, Airtel Congo, and Ofis computers. A growing proportion of the public, especially youth, are accessing the Internet more frequently and utilizing online
social media. However, only the most affluent have Internet access in their own homes; others who accessed it use
cybercafes.
Intentional Shutdowns The Congolese government performed a series of intentional internet shutdowns. The first was conducted in December 2011 and lasted approximately 25 days. During the 25 days, Short Message Service otherwise known as SMS was the only one affected by the shutdown. According to an article by CIPESA, "One of the reasons cited by the government for blocking communication was to prevent the spread of fake results over the internet before the electoral commission announced official results" Unlike the first shutdown the second intentional shutdown had a broader range of impact.The second intentional shutdown occurred in January 2015. The Congolese government directed telecommunication companies within the country to halt all its services. Not only was SMS affected, but the entire internet itself. This action by the government came on the eve of political protest on a proposed electoral bill. The most recent government shutdown occurred on December 19, 2016. This was an important date as President Joseph Kabila was supposed to step down as head of state. In order to quell, political upheaval the Congolese government ordered telecom operators to block social media in the country. == See also ==