Argentina launches public administration connectivity program

Argentina’s communications regulator Enacom launched a program to provide internet services and ICT equipment to public administration entities at the national, provincial and municipal levels.

The program, financed by the country’s universal services fund, will be carried out through the implementation of specific projects based on requests made by the public administration entities, Enacom said in a statement

"We want to provide ICT services and equipment to initiatives from different areas of government, for example, education, health and security, so that digital inclusion directly translates into a better quality of life for Argentines," said Enacom head Juan Martín Ozores.

SCHOOLS

Within the framework of a literacy program launched by the government, a multi-stage connectivity project by the human capital ministry was approved to provide electronic devices for education.

Enacom recently said there were around 80,000 tablets that had not been distributed as part of the Conectando Con Vos program, which was discontinued by the current administration, and could be allocated to the new program.

The education department will request the devices from Enacom, which will then be distributed by the human capital ministry.

FINANCING

Enacom will increase funding by 20 billion pesos (US$20.5 million) to meet commitments and complete a connectivity program for the national university system. 

The program was approved in 2021 with financing from the universal services fund. Its main objective is to improve wireless connectivity at 58 state-run universities in order to benefit students, teachers and non-teaching staff.

Enacom has also allocated an additional 1.6mn pesos to the construction of the Tecnópolis network project and extended by six months the deadline to complete this project, which will be carried out by state-owned telco Arsat.

Approved in 2022, the project will extend Arsat's fiber optics to and provide Wi-Fi services for the Tecnópolis technology park and campus.