New PAC to connect 100% of public elementary schools in Brazil

This is a machine translation of a press release by Brazil's ministry of communications

With the New PAC, more than 138,000 public elementary schools and 24,000 basic health units will have connectivity by the end of 2026. The Ministry of Communications (MCom) will invest a total of R$6.5 billion in infrastructure to take connection with the best available technology and adequate speed for public equipment throughout Brazil.

“The New PAC is a great victory for the Brazilian people. The Ministry of Communications is going to invest heavily so that all public schools in that country have very high quality internet. All UBSs that are close to these schools will also be connected, so that citizens can have access to telemedicine and a better quality public service. We are going to promote digital and social inclusion from north to south of Brazil”, emphasizes Minister Juscelino Filho.

Schools will be connected with high-speed internet and WI-FI signal in all school environments, enabling the pedagogical use of contents, applications and didactic games available on the network. Schools that still do not have electricity will be provided with photovoltaic generators that transform solar radiation into electricity.

The Northeast is the region with the largest number of schools that will have quality internet, totaling 49,953 institutions. Next is the Southeast, with 40,365 schools; the North, with 20,366; the South, with 19,826 education units; and the Midwest, with 7,845 institutions.

The Basic Health Units (UBSs) that are close to these schools will also be connected, allowing for greater efficiency in the administration of these public facilities. In addition, it will be possible to expand the use of electronic medical records and strengthen the National Telehealth Program, so that patients can consult with specialists who are not in their city.

RESOURCES - Just for connectivity in schools, the investment will be R＄ 6.4 billion. The resources come from four sources: 5G Auction, Fund for the Universalization of Telecommunications Services (FUST), Connected Education Innovation Program (PIEC) and Law 14,172 of 2021. As for the connection of UBSs, the investment will be R＄ 100 million, from the General Budget of the Union of the Ministry of Health.

In total, the Novo PAC digital inclusion and connectivity axis will invest R＄ 27.9 billion in connectivity in schools and health units; 4G expansion and 5G deployment; construction of infoways; postal services; and digital TV.

NOVO PAC - The New Growth Acceleration Program (PAC) is an investment program coordinated by the Federal Government, in partnership with the private sector, states, municipalities and social movements. R＄ 1.7 trillion will be invested to accelerate economic growth and social inclusion, generating jobs and income, and reducing social and regional inequalities.

The program's investments are committed to the ecological transition, neo-industrialization, the country's growth and the creation of jobs in a sustainable manner. In addition to digital inclusion and connectivity, there are eight other investment axes: efficient and sustainable transport; inclusive social infrastructure; sustainable and resilient cities; water for all; energy transition and security; innovation for industry and defense; education, science and technology; and health.