Slowly, wireless internet blossomed in Maracaibo, although it was expensive. Companies like Fulldata and AirTek began to build a strong consumer base, limited due to installation costs (up to $500; the Venezuelan minimum wage is way below that) and technology. AirTek offered a 5 Mbps connection for $27 in 2019, while the same packages were up to $100 in Caracas. These wISPs were a solution, but not the answer. By Arnaldo Espinoza. Full Text-> CaracasChronicles

RuneScape was originally released in 2001 by British developer Jagex, but it’s only in the last four years that a growing number of Veneuzelans have started depending on the game as their main source of income. One such player is ex-accountant Martinez, who requested that his last name not be published to protect his RuneScape account. Martinez quit his job after the inflation rate of the bolivar meant he could no longer survive on the money he was earning. By Mat Ombler. Full Text-> Polygon

We have been seeing buckling infrastructure and rolling blackouts throughout Venezuela for years. The sorry state of Venezuela’s networks is nothing new. But the new quarantine, and the massive surge in network traffic that comes with it, may finally break Venezuela’s internet. By Jason Pye, Full Text -> Washington Examiner

Venezuela’s telecommunications network was far from robust before the nation went into lockdown over the spreading coronavirus. Now, with millions video chatting and streaming while stuck at home, it’s on the brink of collapse. By Alex Vasquez and Patricia Laya. Full text -> Bloomberg

Even with scarce funds, more and more migrant Víctor Higuera of El Vinotinto (Courtesy)of all generations are undertaking journalistic initiatives, pioneers on the Internet and in social networks, even in print, to continue professionally and offer a space for Venezuelans abroad to meet. By Silvina Acosta. Full text -> Journalism in the Americas