Three bids for remote broadband rollout

Colombia’s Ministry of Information Technology and Communication (MinTIC) has received three bids for a project to deploy broadband infrastructure in the Amazon, Orinoco and Choco regions. TV Azteca and two consortia – the first of which consisted of Ceragon Networks, Cambridge International System and Andcom, whilst the second comprised Anditel, Furel, Accion and Commercial Electric Medellin – are vying for the COP373.99 billion (USD193.91 million) contract. The project will see the winning bidder design, install, operate and maintain a high speed transport network to 27 municipalities and 20 departmental districts that are not covered by the National Fibre Optic Project. The programme also includes the deployment of connections and the provision of broadband services to 235 public institutions, 358 community access points, 56 ‘Live Digital Points’ (Puntos Vive Digital) and 11,780 homes in ‘estratos’ one and two – the lowest socio-economic band.