Colombia's ICT Ministry Ends 2024 with Record-Breaking Budget Spending
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Loading... - Fleur Braam
- 12 Dec 2024
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Colombia's Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies (Mintic) has ended 2024 with a record-breaking budget spending of 4.7 trillion pesos (US$1.06 billion), accounting for 88% of its budget. This is the largest ever allocated to the ministry, according to Minister Mauricio Lizcano.
The ministry's spending has focused on several key areas, including improving connectivity, artificial intelligence (AI), digital education, and innovation ecosystems. Specifically, 1.6 trillion pesos was allocated to improving connectivity, 450 million pesos to AI, 380 billion pesos to digital education, and 85 billion pesos to innovation ecosystems.
Regarding connectivity, the minister noted that over 70% of the Colombian population now has internet access, and 93% are covered by mobile services. However, there is still work to be done to improve quality and coverage in some rural areas.
Colombia has seen significant progress in 5G deployment, with the installation of 1,353 5G base stations by telecommunications operators. This represents 78% of the goal set following the spectrum auction a year ago. Claro, the country's largest operator, operates over 1,300 5G antennas, accounting for 23% of mobile traffic in the areas covered. Currently, 2.2 million lines are generating 5G traffic.
Mintic has made significant strides in connecting rural and indigenous communities to the internet. The ministry has deployed 909 internet hubs (community networks) in 299 municipalities across 27 departments, connecting nearly 136,000 people. Additionally, the ministry is expanding connectivity to 400,000 households in Colombia's Pacific region and La Guajira in the north through its "Conectividad para Cambiar Vidas" (Connectivity to Change Lives) program.
Mintic has spent 265 billion pesos to deploy 2,782 kilometers of fiber optics, connecting 107,260 households across 222 municipalities. This initiative is in collaboration with 13 regional governments. When combined with contributions from local governments, the total investment reaches approximately 400 billion pesos, effectively doubling the ministry's resources for connectivity.
In AI, Mintic has initiated plans for two major AI development centers in Usme and Zipaquirá, with an investment of 132 billion pesos. These centers will feature data facilities to support AI projects and include exhibition halls, laboratories, training rooms, auditoriums, and virtual reality spaces, each spanning approximately 3,300 square meters. Additionally, Mintic has launched 60 PotencIA centers to promote AI education, with an investment of 234 billion pesos. As of now, nearly 1 million Colombians have benefited from digital skills training.
Overall, Mintic's record-breaking budget spending in 2024 has focused on key areas that will drive Colombia's digital transformation and improve the lives of its citizens. The ministry's initiatives in connectivity, AI, digital education, and innovation ecosystems are expected to have a significant impact on the country's economic and social development.
