Spotlight: The ICT plans of Panamanian presidential candidates

The ICT proposals of Panamanian presidential candidates focus on turning the country into a regional technology hub, increased connectivity and digital education.

“Panama's diagnosis shows that in recent years there has been significant progress thanks to the joint work and collaboration between the public and private sectors where, through the consolidation of dialogue, practices have been achieved that stand out throughout the region,” a report by GSMA said.

The report highlights a policy that helped reduce the spectrum price for the AWS band by more than 60% in 2022 and for low and medium frequency bands in 2024.

The departure of Digicel and mergers and acquisitions modified the structure of the sector, as the country is preparing for more changes with a modernization of the telecoms law aimed at simplifying procedures, promoting competition and creating business models focused on infrastructure and spectrum sharing.

A 5G tender is also in the works, while operators such as Cable & Wireless are testing the technology.

GSMA recommends that the next government, whose term starts July 1, expedite the allocation of the 5G-critical 3.5GHz band for mobile services.

Regulator Asep has identified 91MHz of spectrum in the 1.5GHz band, 85MHz in the 2.3GHz band and 3250MHz in the 26MHz band. Some176MHz in medium bands and 3250MHz in high (millimeter frequencies) bands will be made available to mobile operators.

None of the four leading candidates in Sunday's election address issues such as 5G directly, but they mention other ICT goals like the need to promote technical education and connectivity.

BNamericas provides an overview of the candidates' science and technology plans.

JOSÉ RAÚL MULINO

Frontrunner José Raúl Mulino, who's representing a center-right coalition, became a candidate after the disqualification of Ricardo Martinelli, although it still remains unclear if he'll be on the ballot.

Mulino's plan proposes defining “innovation and technical education as pillars of the educational system, integrating the learning of English and preparation for the global labor market.”

MARTÍN TORRIJOS

Former president Martín Torrijos is the only one mentioning an opportunity to attract US companies that establish the last link in the semiconductor chain (assembly, test and packaging), taking advantage of the CHIPS Act.

The center-right candidate proposes reformulating the 400 Infoplazas, community centers offering free internet access which register 1mn visitors per year.

Infoplazas are currently managed by private parties, while computers are being provided by science and development agency Senacyt. “The model must change, not only to allow the execution of the Panama se Capacita program and support the reduction of the digital divide, but also to provide telemedicine services,” the program says.

Torrijos also proposes a substantial increase in science and technology investments and a focus on STEM education, the creation of innovation centers and technology parks, and support for applied research.

RÓMULO ROUX

Center-right candidate Rómulo Roux plans to review and modernize the science, innovation and technology policy to facilitate economic and social development.

His government plan proposes a progressive increase of R&D investments from 0.16% to 1% of GDP. It also proposes the creation of innovation and technology centers and to attract international private investments through a labor, fiscal and immigration incentive policy.

Another proposal relates to a smart cities policy, including solutions for public transport, tourism, waste management, energy efficiency and urban security.

RICARDO LOMBANA

Ricardo Lombana of Moca party also wants to make Panama a regional science and technology hub by fostering education that allows leveraging big data, IoT and AI technologies.

It will seek to incorporate technology into the processes of public institutions with the objectives of generating transparency and reducing bureaucratic processes.

The plan also mentions the incorporation of science, technology and innovation into the educational, academic and public health sectors, create a linkage system between universities, companies and the State and create an AI, robotics and data science institute at Universidad Tecnológica de Panamá.