The President, who made the announcement on World Telecommunication and Information Society Day, informed the public that the National Internet Network will be expanded to a thousand points by the end of 2011. Currently there are 655 access sites in 22 cities, each in places containing large numbers of people including schools, city halls, community clubs, libraries, health centers and hospitals.

Given the importance and impact of this project for the Panamanian people, the President called on Members of Parliament and the Minister of Education, Lucy Molinar to devote more resources to such programs so that all Panamanians can connect to the world directly, through a computer.

He also reported that by 2014 citizens will be able to access a service offered by the state called the "E Government” (government without papers), a commitment by the current administration to provide Panamanians with access to technology and be at the forefront of worldwide technology.

The 220 “Infoplazas” are to be distributed as follows: 61 in Chiriqui, 65 in Panama, 33 in Veraguas, 14 in Herrera, 12 in Cocle, 11 in Los Santos, 5 in Columbus, 5 in Darien, 3 in Bocas del Toro, 2 in Kuna Yala, 2 in Comarca Emberá Wounaan and 1 in Comarca Ngöbe Bugle. These “infoplazas” will be public centers of access to information and knowledge through the use of information technology, training programs, and Internet access will be available to facilitate public access to new information technologies and forms of communication, especially for those of limited resources and/or those located in areas of difficult access.

In the meantime, the National Internet Network has more than 120 thousand registered users, who regularly access web pages, email and instant messaging services for free.

Source: Presidencia de Panamá

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