Argentina. The National Communications Agency, Enacom, disbursed more than 28 million Argentine pesos, as Non-Reimbursable Contributions (NRAs) to 24 cooperatives and SMEs in the ICT sector, in order to expand and strengthen connectivity in those areas that need it most, in accordance with the principles of the Universal Services Fund (FSU).
In addition, it specified the delivery of funds for the financing of the Fomeca (Funds for the Competitive Promotion of Audiovisual Communication) corresponding to line P of content production for radio and television in the community sector for more than 18 million pesos, benefiting 42 local media.
With these measures, in the context of emergency as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the National State continues to develop public policies that guarantee the role of SME and community providers to ensure the right of citizens to communicate and stay connected. Enacom thus maintains the focus on regional providers, accompanying the federal development of communications.
Both the Non-Reimbursable Contributions (NRAs) and the Fomeca are promotional tools to improve infrastructure and/or the provision of communications services. In the case of NRAs, up to 80% of the projects aimed at universalizing and improving network infrastructure for the provision of fixed Broadband Internet access services in areas that do not have sufficient infrastructure in localities of up to 10,000 inhabitants are subsidized.
On the other hand, through the Fomeca, the resources that come from the large commercial media (levies and fines) are redistributed to promote the processes of technological updating and content production of community media and independent productions, in order to add plurality of voices.
