Peru's public investments in connectivity projects jump

The Peruvian government has announced that it significantly increased its investments in connectivity programs during 2022. 

Through the Pronatel program, the transport and communications ministry (MTC) spent 451mn soles (US$120mn) on deploying fiber optics networks across the country, some 99% more than the annual average spent between 2018 and 2021. 

By the end of the year, the greatest progress was seen in regional broadband projects, particularly in Arequipa, where 19.9mn soles was spent, Áncash (12mn soles) and Junín (2mn soles). Funds were also allocated to the 911 emergency line project and the fiber optic backbone network, Pronatel stated in a release.

Of the broadband projects financed by the ministry, nine are already in operation (Amazonian integration, Lambayeque, Huancavelica, Apurímac, Ayacucho, Cusco, Lima, Tacna and Moquegua), 10 are underway (Ica, Amazonas, Junín, Puno, Huánuco, Pasco, Áncash, Arequipa, La Libertad and San Martín) and five remain to be to promoted by private investment promotion agency ProInversión (Napo-Putumayo, Manseriche, Cajamarca, Piura and Tumbes). 

Thanks to the operation of these projects, over 4,000 public entities have been connected to the internet, including schools, health centers and police stations.

Pronatel enabled some 1.4mn people in rural and remote locations all over Peru to connect to internet last year. Of these, 1.2mn were able to do so thanks to the progress in regional broadband projects, while the remainder were connected via digital access centers and public access space initiatives and the Conecta Selva (jungle connect) program.

According to the MTC, at the end of 2022, the goal of connecting 26% of the localities where broadband projects are being carried out was exceeded, with the figure actually reaching 46%.