The Colombian ICT Ministry, through the social program Compartel, published specifications of the National Fiber Optic Project, which aims to deploy the technology in at least new 400 municipalities and reach the goal of 700 municipalities connected by 2014. Project investments are estimated to be US $234,743 million.
Interestec companies have until 10 a.m. Sept. 9 to submit proposals. Once proposals are evaluated, the contractor selected will be responsible for deploying fiber-optic networks to reach at least 700 municipalities and ensure coverage of 90% of the Colombian population.
The government expects that implementation of fiber-optic networks will increase the use and access of new technologies, as well as reduce the digital gap.
The National Fiber Optic Plan is one project under an umbrella initiative called the Digital Living Plan, that aims to increase Internet use in Colombia, reaching 8.8 million connections in the country – today there as 2.2 million – as well as provide support for the implementation of various initiatives that require optimum conditions of connectivity.
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