Argentina. The National Communications Agency (Enacom) promotes different programs to promote the reduction of the digital divide, bringing internet to every corner of the country. Since 2015, a total of 4,857,789,544 pesos have already been invested.
All these initiatives are financed with the Universal Service Funds and are part of the Connectivity Program. The state company ARSAT, cooperatives and TELECOMMUNICATIONS SMEs have been strategic partners in the implementation of these policies that seek to connect Argentines.
"With decisions like these, we reaffirm our will to reduce the digital divide and ensure access to communications. In today's world it is impossible to conceive of communities that do not have access to the Internet. Connectivity is a basic right and that is why our commitment is to guarantee it," said the president of Enacom, Miguel De Godoy.
Enacom allocated $ 4,257,173,500 to the Access to ICT Services project through the Federal Fiber Optic Network (REFEFO) that will connect 1300 locations, bringing broadband to more than 2 million homes. In turn, $ 350 million was invested in Non-Refundable Contributions (ANR) to bring high-speed internet to localities of up to 2,500 inhabitants where before there was no type of connection.
$600,000,000 was also invested, in conjunction with Educ.AR, to connect 46,000 public educational establishments and thus benefit 9 million students throughout the country.
"Digital access is one of the public assets that the state must guarantee to the people. Like water, sewers, housing, roads, digital also allows people to be taken off the margins," said Andrés Ibarra, Minister of Modernization.
