The ICT priorities and projects of Uruguay's presidential hopefuls

Technology, digital transformation and innovation have been highlighted in the campaigns of the presidential candidates ahead of Uruguay’s general election on Sunday, October 27.

Surveys indicate that the favorite is former Canelones mayor Yamandú Orsi, who represents the leftist Frente Amplio (broad front) opposition coalition, although he is still polling below the 50% threshold needed to avoid a second-round vote on November 24.

If it does go to a runoff, his opponent is expected to be former secretary of the presidency Álvaro Delgado, who represents the ruling center-right National Party.

Regardless of who emerges as the winner, the next president is not expected to make any radical changes to the economy.

BNamericas takes a look at what the leading presidential contenders are proposing for the ICT sector and their visions for the industry.

Yamandú Orsi

In his government plan, frontrunner Orsi presented a list of 48 priorities, divided into three main areas: economic stability and growth, social care and protection, and improving security.

In the economic sphere, he pledges a new industrial policy developed in tandem with the private sector and focusing on key sectors, including ICT, as well as bioeconomy, medical devices, energy and the circular economy.

Orsi also said he will promote technological parks dedicated to the development of solutions in data science, AI and the internet of things (IoT) and to create a secretariat linked to the presidency to coordinate the science, technology and innovation (STI) agenda.

The candidate also vows to provide access to the electronic billing system for micro-enterprises and autonomous workers.

In terms of public security, Orsi mentions the creation of a unified coordination center for border security and the deployment of 500 video surveillance cameras. This will provide opportunities for integrators and companies working in this field such as Motorola Solutions, NEC and Sonda.

Orsi also wants to include license plate registration technology and facial identification systems in most of these cameras and incorporate 2,000 mobile devices for immediate response to cases of gender-based violence.

5g, security, big-tech regulation and AI

Frente Ampio's 2025-30 program, meanwhile, provides greater detail on ICT.

It calls for “accelerating the adoption of 5G, laying the foundations for the deployment of future technologies and being attentive to the variety of current and future technical solutions (Wi-Fi 6, satellite access, self-managed networks, etc.).”

Orsi’s coalition pledges to guarantee “state sovereignty” in telecommunications around state-run telco Antel and to consolidate Uruguay as a regional center of excellence in the provision of services, internet, AI, cybersecurity, 5G, among others.

His running mate and VP is Carolina Cosse, a former president of Antel and ex-industry, energy and mining minister.

Another promise is to push for a legislation to “defend digital sovereignty,” including a law to regulate big techs.

In public procurement, the coalition said that all state acquisitions of technology must be accompanied by the corresponding transfer of knowledge, to allow its “autonomous use and maintenance.”

In a specific chapter on digital transformation, the program backs the promotion and development of open software, a policy of regulation and control of AI systems, and courses in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subjects and AI.

It also pledges “more and new plans to support the identification, exploration and adoption of cutting-edge digital technologies.”

The full program can be seen here, in Spanish.

Álvaro Delgado

Delgado's government program is the one that most specifically addresses datacenters, advocating "support for the development" of these structures in the country.

President Luis Lacalle-Pou, from the same party, was present at the ceremony that marked the start of construction of Google's project in Uruguay, the first big tech datacenter in the country.

The National Party's program states that Uruguay "stands out in technology and the digital world" but that further steps need to be taken in this regard. 

Delgado advocates boosting exports of IT services, the international expansion of Uruguayan startups and attraction of foreign investment funds to the country.

The candidate also vows to eliminate or review duties on the export of IT services, mostly with neighboring countries and to strengthen the Uruguay Innovation Hub program. 

Delgado also calls for technological neutrality and a periodic review of interconnection prices in the country.

Uruguay is one of the countries in South America that does not have shared wholesale fiber networks for use by operators and internet service providers.

In this respect, the party's agenda advocates for promoting the development of neutral networks to "offer wholesale telecom services to optimize investment and avoid duplication of infrastructure, making networks profitable." 

The proposals also include improving Uruguayan regulation of spectrum use and, in line with neutral networks, facilitating infrastructure sharing.

In addition to this, Delgado wants more legal security and predictability for licensing and permitting, including spectrum, to ensure long-term investments.

At a press conference in August, Delgado said that his proposals include regulatory changes in decrees, simplification of import processes and "general debureaucratization of the State."

Delgado’s full program can be seen here, in Spanish.