$9 will cost the Internet in rural homes

The Government reached an agreement with the internet provider companies: Claro and Telefónica Movistar to implement plans that reduce the price of the connection in all the rural parishes of the country.

$ 9 will cost the internet in rural homes

This initiative will also add the state-owned CNT. In this way, the rates for this service will be reduced by 55% in the 537 parishes.

The Minister of Telecommunications, Andrés Michelena, assured that thanks to this agreement “in December the cost will decrease to $ 11 and by March 2020 the rate will be at $ 9.50”.

This announcement was made during an event held in the Rumipamba parish, in the Rumiñahui canton of Pichincha, where President Lenín Moreno participated, who was in charge of launching this new connectivity program.

The President said that “all citizens have access to technology, because the internet is a fundamental tool for the field to develop and the country to be more productive.”

In the project, explained Minister Michelena, he will connect rural parishes to 4G technology. In addition, 1,450 free Wi-Fi points will be enabled, so 98% of the national territory will have internet access.

He also mentioned that 5,800 kilometers of wiring that Ecuador has will be used to be internet distributors Alfredo Escobar, Claro telephone manager, said his company’s commitment “is to invest and believe in the country.”

That is why they created mobile plans from $ 1 per month and with prepaid internet from $ 5 with a capacity of 3 megabytes. Additionally, there will be free access to YouTube and academic content on the “Capacítate Para el Empleo” platform, which Claro sponsors, regardless of the mobile internet operator that the user has in rural areas.

Martha Moncayo, CNT manager, said they will also have plans starting at $ 1, as well as preferential rates for calls abroad. He informed that they will work together with the three operators to build common antennas in the parishes that do not have access to the internet.

“We will share the infrastructure to provide connectivity at better prices.”

In that sense, Michelena recalled that the Government eliminated taxes on imports of tablets, cell phones and personal computers so that more people can access these computers.

In addition, the official stressed that the approval of the draft Economic Law processed by the Assembly is essential, because it contains the proposal for a formula to accrue those items.

This will allow the connectivity of more than 127,000 homes and will benefit 480,000 people.

In addition, the installation of an additional 2,422 kilometers with coverage in the national network.

Additionally, the access of 1,739 health centers that will have the provision of services and tele-diagnostic to improve their attention to citizens and avoid agglomeration.

Finally, it was announced the inclusion of 4,281 educational centers nationwide that will have direct and permanent access to the internet for their students.

https://www.eltelegrafo.com.ec/noticias/politica/3/costo-internet-hogares-rurales