19th APDC Congress – Government wants to close rural RNG tenders in the 1st quarter of 2010

الحكومة توافق على تدابير لوضع على الأرض لتوفير في تكنولوجيا المعلومات والاتصالات

The first public presence of António Mendonça, Minister of Public Works, Transport and Telecommunications at an event in the communications sector left a positive note for investment and confidence in the future. The intention to carry out tenders for rural RNGs by the end of the first quarter of 2010 and the anticipation of the goals defined for fiber optic connection were the two main novelties.

Reinforcing the Government’s intention that in this legislature broadband will be accessible to all Portuguese, the minister pointed out the relevant role of new generation rural networks, which intend to increase regional cohesion in areas where commercial would not be viable.

Of the five tenders that were still launched by the previous executive, there have already been developments in relation to some of the regions, but now António Mendonça advances with a date for its completion, with the awarding of contracts until the end of the first quarter of 2010, «given the particular relevance and impact of all measures related to the rapid investment in Next Generation Networks «, he stated.

António Mendonça also reaffirmed the intention to anticipate the goal of covering the population with next generation networks for one and a half million users by the end of this year, in addition to the intention to complete the connection of all primary and secondary schools. and all public justice services to these networks by 2010.

The bet on e-initiatives, with the e-school program, in the areas for students, teachers and trainees of Novas Oportunidades, which has already allowed the distribution of 860 thousand portable computers with broadband connection until the end of October 2009.