The Superintendency of Telecommunications (SUTEL) opened the competition for a total of 7 projects intended to provide telephony and Internet services to 52 districts in the Central Pacific and Chorotega Region, among which are the islands of the Gulf of Nicoya and the indigenous territory Matambú.
In total, SUTEL hopes to invest around $ 37 million to benefit the development of the coastal population of the country.
These 7 projects will impact the lives of 197,000 people with access to Internet and telephony and have opportunities for growth, to become an engine of development in their communities,”
said Manuel Emilio Ruiz Gutiérrez, Chairman of SUTEL.
For these projects, the National Telecommunications Fund (FONATEL), will pay about $ 37.2 million and hopes to achieve connectivity in 386 schools, 54 Cen-CINAI, and 24 Smart Community Centers from the Ministry of Science and Technology.
The project, Connected Communities Program, will also benefit vulnerable areas in Aguirre, Esparza, Montes de Oro, Puntarenas, Abangares, Cañas, Tilarán, Bagaces, La Cruz, Liberia, Carrillo, Santa Cruz, Nicoya, Hojancha and Nandayure.
The projects will be in competition until January 20th, 2017, when bids will be received and the telecommunications company that offers the best conditions will be awarded with the best project.
The news was taken with great joy by the beneficiary villages. For example Jose Bivian Aguirre, president of the Association of Integral Development Matambú said they will no longer have to go over 16 kilometers in search of an internet cafe, so that their children do their homework.