RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Colombia is a country with a mountainous topography, and this increases the challenge of bringing the Internet to all corners of its territory.
This has made the digital divide difficult to close and, without a doubt, an issue that is discussed every May 17 in the telecommunications sector, as it is key that this essential service reaches people who live in remote areas. Only in this way, it will be possible to access quality information, distance educational projects, efficiently execute the Government’s social programs and develop support plans for SMEs and enterprises.
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This goal is underway. The HughesNet company has results to show in the execution of its satellite connection plan in remote regions of the country.
Bringing satellite internet to rural areas, as HughesNet does, is the best way to boost the Colombian rural economy, where the company already has close to 40,000 connected customers in more than 1,000 municipalities and continues to make progress in its commitment to contribute to the closing the digital gap and bringing internet services to more Colombians.
Five years ago (2017), when HughesNet arrived in the country, Colombia had a total of 30.31 million broadband internet connections. This represented a 61.4% penetration, according to the Ministry of Information Technology and Communications (MinTIC). Back then, 75% of rural areas needed connectivity and this has been HughesNet’s target market, offering coverage to 96% of homes by 2022.
“One of our commitments, in 2017, was to go where no one else went with our satellite internet service, and help close the digital divide, especially in rural areas. Today, we have close to 40,000 customers who have our service, most of them in rural areas, reaching 1,069 municipalities with attention”, says Roque Lombardo, Country Manager of HughesNet Colombia and Ecuador.
This service allowed many students who live in remote areas of the country to continue with their education plans during the pandemic and quarantines.
In addition, entrepreneurs were able to connect and advance in their productive work, while farmers maintained production to supply food to consumption centers during the health emergency.
CONNECTING COLOMBIA WITH ITS DREAMS
Currently, 69.1% of the population has an Internet connection in Colombia, which means that more than 35 million people are connected, according to the ICT Ministry. “To help with this, at HughesNet we work in strategic alliances with the government and entities, offering our knowledge and infrastructure to connect the country,” says Lombardo.
In addition, HughesNet has developed internet plans that respond to the needs of different users, from those who need it to connect with their loved ones, to special plans for SMEs and rural enterprises that need special capabilities and benefits, which have helped to fulfill the dreams of Colombians.
“Undoubtedly, rural enterprises and connectivity to the rural population is important. Colombia is a strong country in agriculture and livestock, so its connectivity and digital transformation, added to innovation, are of vital importance. That is why we will continue to make an effort to reach these areas”, highlights Lombardo.
HughesNet’s satellite internet has generated social impact, through connectivity and Internet service. For this reason, the company launched the Connecting Dreams campaign, in alliance with local radio stations in different remote regions of the country, to find stories of entrepreneurs, businessmen and community leaders who need the Internet to grow and fulfill their dreams. The stories are received and a beneficiary is chosen who will have free satellite internet service for a period of up to 1 year.
This campaign will continue to connect more people’s dreams this year to support economic and cultural growth with the help of the Internet.
“Colombia is a country with potential in many fields, we will continue to connect the dreams of Colombians in rural and remote areas so that they can explore their ideas and create innovation from anywhere in the country,” concludes Lombardo.