Reduce the digital gap (Internet access, devices, speed) requires an investment of about $ 225.1 million, according to the annual report of the “Broadband Development Index” of the Inter -American Development Bank (IDB).

By reducing it, the country would not only advance in technological development, but also generate about 44,128 jobs.

The study recommends that the countries of Central America invest in infrastructure, development of applications and training programs in the use of technology.

According to the global ranking of the broadband development index, El Salvador occupies the 58th place in 65 countries and backed away two positions.At Central America, it is only above Nicaragua.

Already when the global ranking of the subscript “Public Policies”, 2018-2020, related to the expense in research and development by regulatory entities, El Salvador goes down until 63 of 65, only above Haiti and Suriman in the region.

As for the digital infrastructure, El Salvador occupies the 60th position of 65 and for this report it retreated a position.

The study also reveals that although the coverage of LTE (4G) technologies has been developed in many Latin American countries, the scope remains poor if compared to that of OECD countries (Organization for Cooperation andEconomic development) for deployment and can be important elements to expand the coverage of networks to currently disconnected areas.

"The shortage and problems for the tender of new spectrum bands limit the ability of operators to expand their networks, increasing the costs of deployment and limiting the use of new technologies," the study details.

According to the report, some of the challenges are to identify and tender new spectrum bands for the development of the 5G connection.

In addition, analyze the spectrum for the deployment of “Internet of Things” networks (IoT), as well as expand the spectrum in low bands available for mobile communications (700 and 800 MHz).

In addition: El Salvador increased its internet consumption in 2020

According to the professor and researcher at the University of El Salvador, Roberto Pérez, there is a need for resources for a more inclusive digital infrastructure, especially now that the government ensures that it will allocate at least $ 120 million to deliver $ 30 in Bitcoin to each Salvadoran thatLower a mobile application to promote the use of cryptocurrency.

According to the researcher, the Bitcoin Law makes it clear that there are people who do not have the technology for the use of cryptocurrency.

“(The Government) knows the little technical capacity that the population has.First, the technological infrastructure to have the stable signal and in the second instance, the devices so that the application is not locked or leaves half transactions.There are so many aspects that are determined by the device, that is, there is a risk, ”he said.

He added that when the public investment made by the State is related there is a disproportion, taking into account that $ 225.1 million are needed to reduce the digital divide while the government allocates $ 120 million for the use of a cryptocurrency.

“One observes that the Government is discretionary by discretionary an amount that is not giving many reasons.I think that is the problem that occurs to sustain a project that is not really viable.Maybe in the future, but we are not living the future, nor are we building it because we have not invested in technology, ”he said.

For the expert that disproportion of government investment is alarming and unnecessary for the use of cryptocurrency.

A more inclusive internet is needed

Pérez also pointed out that there is a need for a platform that opens the spaces so that the population in addition to receiving information can disseminate it.

In addition: connecting to the Internet is a challenge for the students of Perico Island

“It is not only about the platforms being available in the territory, but also accessible in economic terms.The main internet problem is that access is only mediated by the market issue, ”says the professional in relation to the private companies that offer these services.

For Pérez the State should stick to provide a public internet service so that the population can access some platforms.

It exposes the example that in Argentina there are cooperatives that are supplying internet needs and that reach sustainability in their projects while transferring connectivity to the population.

The professional adds that the Salvadoran State has invested on the Internet but should allocate funds to reach where the supplier companies cannot carry the signal.

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