Indotel delivers resources to start project to bring internet to rural areas of Independencia province

This is an automated translation of the original release published in Spanish.

Indotel press release

Independencia • — The Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel) delivered the sum of RD$4,798,759.10 for the execution of the telecommunications infrastructure deployment project in the Sabana Real and Los Bolos communities in Independencia province.

This project consists of the placement of a satellite structure and wireless networks and the development of a program for the development of basic digital skills for the inhabitants of these areas.

This initiative becomes the first public investment in access infrastructure in the country's history, which is carried out through Indotel's Telecommunications Development Fund (FDT), constituting a historic milestone in the mission to close the digital divide in the Dominican Republic.

The president of the Indotel Board of Directors, Nelson Arroyo, stated that the government headed by President Luis Abinader is carrying out programs to close inequality gaps in the border area, and digital exclusion has not been the exception.

"That is why I want to announce to you that through this project, which will have an investment of more than four million pesos, that the government will give free internet to the communities of Sabana Real and Los Bolos," he stated.

In addition, he emphasized that this will allow young people from these remote communities to prepare, have access to education and improve their standard of living.

For his part, the director of Indotel's Telecommunications Development Fund (FDT), Frederick López, explained that two Rohn 25G towers will be installed in the benefited areas, which will be located in the community school and the photovoltaic plant that will supply electricity to the surroundings. He affirmed that this will allow coverage of 80% in the homes that are located in this area.

Participating in the activity on behalf of Indotel was the member of the Board of Directors, Priamo Ramírez; Executive Director Julissa Cruz; the director of Radioelectric Spectrum, Alberto Delgado, and employees of the institution.

The event was attended by the president of Compusoluciones, Juan Miguel Ceballos; the municipal mayor of La Descubierta, Pascual Benítez; and Glenys González, in charge of monitoring at the Ministry of Economy.

Also present was the president of Cooperativa La Bella, Javiel Soto Novas; community representative Nelson Montero, the governor of Independencia province, Mercedes Novas, and other local authorities.

Data on the increase in connectivity in the country

Indotel released the data that shows an increase in the number of fixed and mobile lines during 2020-2022, and assured that the country is more and better connected.

He also explained that in 2020 the number of fixed internet accounts was 931,000, while in 2022 they reached 1.1 million accounts, which was an increase of 23%.

On the other hand, the total number of active mobile internet accounts was 7.2 million in 2020, while by the end of 2022 it increased to 8.9 million, equivalent to an increase of 24%.

In 2021, the international bidding process for the deployment of 5G networks was completed, making the Dominican Republic the second country in Latin America to have this technology.

Another of the goals achieved by this administration is the creation and expansion of free Wi-Fi access points in public spaces such as schools, parks, sports clubs and computer training centers, allowing Dominicans to have access to a free and secure connection, where 1,130 connections have been installed to date.