Argentine regulator ups funding for ICT access programs

Argentine regulator Enacom has expanded the program for infrastructure development in poor neighborhoods and irregular settlements by 2bn Argentine pesos (US$12mn), bringing the total for this initiative to 7bn pesos.

It was decided to increase the maximum amounts established for funding projects in the Roberto Arias program, the purpose of which is to carry out plans to install or improve network infrastructure for the provision of fixed broadband internet services. The minimum amount that can be funded is now 300,000 pesos and the maximum 30mn pesos.

The amounts had to be updated considering the high rate of inflation, which is already at 88% over the last 12 months.

At Enacom's monthly meeting, nine projects were also approved to be funded with non-reimbursable contributions for a total of 789mn pesos, to be financed with universal service funds.

One of them involves connecting 11 towns in Buenos Aires province under the umbrella of the internet infrastructure development program in poor neighborhoods and irregular settlements that will benefit an estimated population of over 47,000 people. The investment made by Enacom is 324mn pesos.

Another project in Catamarca province, involving an investment of 296mn pesos, will cover 13 towns.

In addition, five projects to be carried out in six towns in the provinces of Buenos Aires, Jujuy, La Pampa and Santa Fe were approved with a combined investment of 15.6mn.

MOBILE CONNECTIVITY

Enacom launched a call for projects in the third stage of the mobile access network deployment program in villages with fewer than 500 residents. This third stage includes 15 towns in the provinces of Santa Fe, La Pampa, Salta, Neuquén and Tierra del Fuego.

In the first stage of the project, four towns in the provinces of San Juan, La Pampa, Misiones and Salta provinces were connected, followed by nine towns in Corrientes, Neuquén, Mendoza and San Juan provinces in the second stage.