News

Within the framework of Argentina's National Connectivity Plan, the Board of Directors of FONPLATA – Development Bank approved funding for a program that will help reduce the digital gap in the country.

By improving digital connectivity in urban centers of low population density in the Province of Buenos Aires, specifically between the cities of Mar del Plata and Bahía Blanca, the program will benefit approximately 250,000 people in 28 localities, thereby increasing the productivity of teleworking, education, and health. The program has an estimated cost of USD 18 million and will be financed with the Bank’s resources. This project is part of the "2020-2023 National Program – Connect Plan", which amounts to USD 430 million and aims at improving the Argentine Satellite System, as well as extending and updating the Fiber Optic Network, the Open Digital Television, and the National Data Center.

The objective of the program financed by FONPLATA is to improve the use of information and communications technology, thus promoting the inclusion of vulnerable sectors and avoiding the discontinuity of their educational and labor cycle, as well as to improve the security and stability of the network by closing the fiber optic ring between those cities. Improved connectivity will reduce educational, gender and income inequalities and even prevent their deepening due to the current pandemic context. The planned actions will directly contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals of Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure (SDG-9) and Reduced Inequalities (SDG-10).

The project will be implemented by the Leadership of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Nation through the Secretariat of Public Innovation. The Secretariat of Strategic Affairs (SAE), under the Office of the President of the Nation, will be the sub-executor of the project.

05/11/2021