The company America Móvil Perú (Claro) won the bid to execute the project "Integration of Rural Areas and preferential social interest places to the Network Services - North Central" and "Integration of Rural Areas and Preferred Social interest sites to the Network of mobile Service - South Central".

In this way the company “Claro” will invest 32 million and 172,678 US$ in both telephony projects for rural areas in north central and southern Peru, benefiting thousands of residents living in outlying areas of the country.

The first project will benefit to 137,000 people from 69 districts of the departments located in north-central Peru such as: Ancash, Cajamarca, La Libertad, Lima, Huánuco, Pasco and Piura. Also, the second project will benefit to 81,000 inhabitants of 59 districts of the departments located in the center south area of the country, such as: Apurimac, Ayacucho, Cusco, Huancavelica, Ica, Moquegua, Puno and Tacna. Both projects will directly benefit to 128 villages and 63 additional sites with coverage of mobile and fixed subscribers. In addition to 675 villages will get benefit indirectly.

America Móvil will provide all necessary infrastructures for the provision of mobile services and fixed telephony service in the selected locations, operate and maintain the infrastructure, and develop awareness and dissemination to the public on the use of services.
 
America Móvil Peru will sign a financing contract with the Investment in Telecom Fund (Fitel), whose term of validity is five years. However, after finishing the contract, they should continue providing services during the term of the respective concession contract.

(Source: RPP News)

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"We are celebrating today the entry of 150,000 seniors to the digital age”, this was highlighted by the executive director of the National Social Ensurance Adminstration  (ANSES), Diego Bossio, by giving computers to the senior centers and pensioners across the country.

"In Anses we work hard for our retirees, so they can access to more benefits and facilities", said Bossio, who also presented medals to recognize employees who worked over 30 years in this institution.

The official referred to the program of access to computers for seniors and pensioners of Anses: “Grandparents PC 2010”, which provides to beneficiaries the possibility to access to a personal loan, by the National Bank, and provides the necessary training to use this technology.

Also, through an agreement signed between Anses, the National Bank of Argentina and Microsoft, there was created a fund for the donation of computers to senior centers which belongs to the Training and Social Integration Program, which has already received over 350 computers throughout the country. Thus, “we are in the way to consolidate the process of inclusion of older adults, improves the access to benefits and Anses digital services", said Bossio.

The official also presented medals and certificates to the employees that worked in Anses 30, 35, 40 and 45 years, and special mentions were given to workers nearing retirement. "This award is for those with a vocation of service and effort, leaving the soul and heart in Anses since long time”, said Bossio.

(Source: Secretaría de Medios de Comunicación – Argentina)

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In order to enable access to integrated telecommunications services to various districts in the Ancash region, the Antamina Mining Fund (FMA) and the company Telefónica Movistar, in the framework of its Program “Intégrame”, delivered infrastructure and equipment to a wireless base station in the District of Pampas Chico.

This is the third delivery that enables the access to telephony services, mobile and public services, to the residents of the town of Conococha, Pampas Chico district and the towns of Catac, Recuay province which belongs to Ancash Region. The investment committed for this work by the Antamina Mining Fund is valued at US$ 195,500, and in the case of Movistar the investment was US$ 53,000. Thus, Movistar is committed to provide mobile services and fixed wireless. Also, this company will oversee the maintenance and operation of the wireless base station.

It is estimated that more than 20,000 inhabitants in the Valley Fortaleza, covering nine districts and 95 towns of the provinces of Recuay and Bolognesi, are being directly benefited from this project. Furthermore, it is providing service to many people that circulate through the area in the direction of the road Pativilca - Huaraz, as well as tourists who are visiting this area, especially Conococha Lake.

(Source: Biznews)

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Intel ® Teach Program is a worldwide effort to help teachers experienced in education and students, to integrate technology into their classrooms to develop higher thinking skills of students and enhance learning. The participating teachers receive training and resources to promote the effective use of technology in the classroom.

Teachers learn about how, when and where to incorporate technology tools and resources to their lesson plan. In addition, experimenting with new approaches for implementing lesson planning tools and focused on learning goals and the official curriculum. The program incorporates the use of Internet, Web page design and student projects as vehicles for meaningful learning.

For over a decade, Intel Teach Program has helped to primary and secondary school teachers, around the world to understand how, where and when to bring the tools and technology resources into their classrooms. Up to date, the program has trained more than four million teachers in over 40 countries and is committed to reach 13 million by 2011. The Intel Teach Program in Latin America is currently offered in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico and Peru.

(Source: Intel)

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The benefited students belongs to rural areas and low income families across the country.Education in Peru is progressing, and does so with the program "One Laptop per Child” (OLPC) that attempt to democratize the use of the internet with the delivery of a computer to poor children.

It is two years since the OLPC started this ambitious project, which has benefited over 871,000 children from 9,864 schools in the country. Now, all of them study hand in hand with the information and communication.

According to the general director of Educational Technology of the Ministry of Education, Oscar Becerra, "the daily use of this important technological tool has made that children significantly improved their reading comprehension and logical-mathematical work".

The results were obtained by the Ministry of Education (Minedu), which implemented tests of motivation and reading comprehension to students of primary schools in rural areas favored with "One Laptop per Child program", which will help more students in the next year.

(Source: Educación en red)

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This is the Act C 124/10, 174/10S, "through which they will enact tax laws to control and for the competitiveness", and they will remove the VAT for Internet services in the economic strata 1, 2 and 3. This decision contributes significantly to the implementation of the technology Plan "Vive Digital", which has as one of its most important goals to increase from 2.2 million to 8.8 million the Internet connections over the next four years.

"The approval of the elimination of VAT for Internet services in the economic strata 1, 2 and 3 is a very important step to implement the plan "Vive Digital". We are committed to increase this service adoption, so the Colombians can access to the Internet and technology, and they can use Internet in their daily lives, in schools and in the microenterprises. Also, the technology will be in the life of every Colombian", said the ICT Minister, Diego Molano Vega.

The Plan "Vive Digital" is a proposal designed with the goal of bringing technology to the lives of all Colombians, especially those who are no longer connected, as those households from strata 1, 2 and 3, small entrepreneurs and traders of the country.

"Digital Experience" will feature about 5.5 billion pesos and seeks to give Colombia a technological leap over the next four years through the massive access to Internet and digital ecosystem development of the country. This initiative will promote the expansion of infrastructure, building services, application development and technology appropriation by users.

(Source: MINTIC – Colombia)

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Phone lines and internet ports will reach neighborhoods, parishes, precincts and townships of Cotopaxi, through wireless networks that cover 40 miles.

In a conference, Guido del Toro, Director of the National Telecommunications Corporation (CNT) of this town, after an annual report, announced that the projects will be implemented in 2011, which will benefit the counties within the province, both, at ports of broadband internet as telephone lines.

Del Toro said that in 2010 they have been conducted a study to determine the type of project that requires the cantons according to the demand and estimate the necessity and implement the required projects.

Among the recipients are several parishes and districts of Latacunga, as Guaytacama, Joseguango Alto, La Calera, Lasso, Locoa, Santán, San Buenaventura, San Felipe, Los Hornos, Mulaló Pastocalle, San José de Poaló, Yugsiloma, San Carlos y Toacaso, this is the group that will benefit in the first quarter of next year.

In the second half, del Toro said that they will run several projects that will facilitate communication between cotopaxenses, through the implementation of telephone and internet ports, as have the internet service is no longer a luxury, but also a necessity, so that is one of the objectives of the corporation, to reach rural areas, he said.

(Source: Mintel – Ecuador)

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The place provides access to telephony and Internet via satellite Simon Bolivar to 8100 inhabitants, a service that will be managed by the own community.

The Technical Committee on Telecommunications (MTT) of Ureña and the National Company of Telephony of Venezuela (CANTV) celebrated the inauguration of the Communication Communal Center “El Bolivariano II”.

The facility is located in “El Bolivariano II”, municipality Pedro María Ureña, Táchira state, from where they provide services to this community empowered to manage telecommunications.

This Community Center will offer its services through the Simón Bolívar satellite, and it will be equipped with four telephone lines and seven computers, for the first time provides voice and data access to users in this border community. This project was achieved with the support of MTT of Ureña, and through this new form of community communications, it will be benefit 8100 people living in the El Bolivariano II and the surroundings area.

(Source: Cantv – Venezuela)

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Students from Educational Complex of Huáscar will benefit with computer labs, with 21 computers and with Internet access. The delivery was made as part of the Program “Proniño” of Telefónica Foundation, an initiative which pretends to combat the child´s labor, through the education.

Telefónica Foundation presented two Computer Rooms that have, each, 21 modern computers with Speedy Internet access, desks, printer, slate and mouse pads to the  Primary schools 70047 and the Polytechnic High school Huáscar of Puno.

To perform this important work, which will benefit to more than 590 adolescents, the company had to do electrical wiring, and improve the school infrastructure, which was made with the support of parents of the children of the school. This donation was made under the Program “Proniño”, supported by Telefónica Foundation. This initiative prevents the labor of children in Latin America through the education.

With the delivery of these computer labs, Telefónica Foundation seeks to improve the educational quality of schools and promote the educational use of technological tools, focusing on digital inclusion of children and adolescents to provide better development opportunities and access to decent labor market.

(Source: Telefónica del Perú)

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The Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Society, in compliance with the project "Universal Access Program" for the provision of equipment and connectivity for schools in the State, will formally provide 2322 computers in several cities of Ecuador, with the aim of contributing in the organization, execution and implementation of educational projects.

Whereas the Ministry of Education set the standard equipment that is delivered for at least one computer for every 25 students, among other technological equipment, the Mintel carried out a supply of computers to the Municipalities, Provincial Governments and Institutions for Social development in several Cantons, which will be distributed to schools of: Montecristi, San Lorenzo, Rioverde, Santa Elena and La Libertad, Costa; Nabón, Catamayo, Mira, Otavalo, píllaro, Gualaceo, Pelileo, Guaranda San Miguel, Caluma, Chimbo, Chillanes and Quito in the Mountain area, and Cascales, Mera, Pastaza, Santa Clara and Joya de Los Sachas, in the Amazon area.

These provinces were considered for the delivery of equipment, as they have been benefited by the National Government with the provision of connectivity and equipment.

All citizens of the community and surrounding areas will have access to technology services, which will benefit in carrying out their daily activities.

Source: Mintel – Ecuador

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Under the regulation of tax for works, Telefónica del Perú delivered today to the Municipality of Ite improvement and expansion works for the telecommunications services. With the opening of the Minister of Economy and Finance - MEF (Ismael Benavides), and the presence of the Mayor of Ite District (Ysaul Rivera), began a new stage through telecommunications, which will promote the development in the locality.

The works include the deployment of facilities to offer fixed telephony, public telephony, cellular telephony and Internet access.

This pilot project was developed in the framework of the Law 29230, which promotes public investment with private sector participation. Thus, Telefónica became the first company in the telecommunications sector in delivering infrastructure work under the regulation which allows to the private sector to swap tax for works. This measure is sponsored by Proinversión and MEF.

The Minister of Economy and Finance (Ismael Benavides) congratulated to the authorities of Ite and Telefónica of Peru for the implementation of this project, which he described as "successful" and expressed that he is sure that this is the first of many initiatives of this nature. "More than 4,500 residents of 6 towns located in the district of Ite will benefit with access to communications and integration into the world through Internet.

(Source: Telefónica del Perú)

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With a new attendance record, for four days Internet fans and specialists on information enjoyed all the activities offered at "TELMEX Digital Village 2". Around 27 thousand persons - 3 400 villagers and more than 23-thousand of visitors could enjoy all the benefits of connectivity of 20 gigabits per second offered by TELMEX for the completion of the second edition of the most important cyber event in Mexico.
 
Villagers and visitors could enjoy gaming tournaments, workshops, competitions, demonstrations, lectures, games, digital art, gaming, free software, live concerts and sports car racing simulators, which were held from 9 to 12 December at the Center Banamex. The more than 7 million "Infinitum" subscribers had access to the contents and conferences that took place in Hamlet Digital TELMEX, through Prodigy MSN and telmex.com.

TELMEX developed the infrastructure necessary for connection to have a bandwidth at a speed of 20 Gbps, which represents the fastest Internet than ever was before in Mexico and a major navigation capabilities around the world for this kind of events. The infrastructure is based on next-generation optical technology to have a backup of 100% of traffic throughout the event.
 
There were also exhibitions and demonstrations of new technologies hardware and software manufacturers in the world including Apple, Blackberry, Dell, Eccl, Gameloft, HP, Huawei, Intel, LG, Motorola, Microsoft, Nokia, Nvidia, Sony and Toshiba.

(Source: Telmex - Mexico)
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One of the most famous projects of the Government and the Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Society (Mintel) was formally launched on Friday 10 December. The first place is the Isla Puna, specifically the areas of Campo Alegre and Puna Viejo, where residents have high expectations to have this called "Infocentro" that from today will become a valuable tool for development and progress, because everyone of all ages will access to connectivity, online education, interaction, community involvement with localities benefiting from the plan, immediate information on all ministries and government actions, as well as the most important steps mainly to have a permanent training view for eradicating digital illiteracy.

Mr. Guerrero said that the President of the Republic, Rafael Correa Delgado, put special emphasis in the infocenters and has given a tremendous boost to hundreds of communities nationwide to integrate a large network, to be a huge opportunity to be known in the context not only national but also internationally, since they will have connectivity via Internet, wireless or satellite, which puts them on par with the modern world and of great opportunities. "It's almost an open door and we are absolutely sure that they will know how to maximize all the resources put at its disposal", he said.

Under this National Digital Plan Readiness, wich is running by Mintel, 1200 Community Infocenters will be implemented nationwide, from which 797 will be installed in rural areas and 403 in marginal urban sectors, in order to encourage beneficiaries to use the Information and Communication Technology. The Social investment for the project of Infocenters is US$ 14'500 000 and from this week will be openned more like these sites, this project is available in the portal www.infocentros.gob.ec for residents of each sector and the public in general who would have full information on the infocenter. In addition, a schedule of activities and various information related to tourism, production, outstanding activities for each sector.

The community of Campo Alegre has 700 people and Puna Viejo has 400 inhabitants, but around the country aims to generate direct employment to 1200 Infocentros coordinators; indirect employment for 5000 people in the stages of implementation, operation and implementation, as well as three million citizens of rural and marginal urban areas with access to information technology.

(Source: Mintel - Ecuador)
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With this project of education, the Dominican Telecommunications Institute (Indotel) next to the Orange Foundation, and Dynamic Stimulation and Digital Literacy (EDAD) have dual purpose: to prevent cognitive decline in older persons and promote the use of technology systems for social integration.

The convention was attended by the Chairman of the Board of Indotel, Dr. David Perez Taveras; Indotel executive director, Dr. Joelle Exarhakos, Mr. Andrés Ferreira and Manuel Gimeno from the Orange Foundation, which discussed the possibility of implement this project without cost in the digital classrooms that Indotel has created.

Older people form a group that usually live outside of the Information Society, despite constituting an increasingly important part of our population and have much free time at home, they can take advantage of ICT access to information, administrative management or shop online from home, contact with other seniors or their family members and enrich their leisure activities. In addition, the use of computer requires a proactive that can stimulate the cognitive abilities of older people but also by helping to keep the mind in the exercise.

To meet these needs, researchers of the Department of Educational Psychology, Faculty of Education at the Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), with the support of the Orange Foundation, has developed this draft of Stimulation Dynamics and Digital Literacy ( EDAD) and in alliance with Indotel to use the Computer Training Center as a platform to teach these courses in the 32 provinces of the country, encouraging the use of technology systems for the social integration and prevent cognitive decline in older people.

What is the Project “EDAD”?
EDAD Project (Stimulation Dynamic and Digital Literacy) is defined as a free course, available through the Internet, for older people to meet and learn to use the computer with a dual purpose: to prevent cognitive decline and promote social integration through the use of technology systems. The “EDAD” Project is based on the design of a specific methodology adapted to the needs of the elderly, offering a training program that allows easy access to the world of technology and, in turn, strengthens their mental functions as memory, thinking or solving problems.

(Source: Indotel - Dominican Republic)
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Through an interactive video link with students on the schools, which benefit today, Hector Slim Seade, General Director of Teléfonos de Mexico (Telmex) and the lawyer Alfredo del Mazo, Mayor of Huixquilucan, put into operation four digital classrooms, as well as Free public access places of Infinitum mobile Internet service on the esplanade of the City, the Garden of Culture and two Schools of Bachelors.

These digital classrooms will directly benefit to 3,900 students per month, because these places are fully enabled with computer equipment, next-generation broadband connectivity in 4Mgbps Infinitum and educational software, developed by the company and the Technology Institute of Massachusetts (MIT), for the optimum use and maximum utilization of equipment. Moreover, with mobile WiFi service in public places also benefits the general population of the town with a tool for advanced communications technology.

The opened digital classrooms are located in public libraries of Colonia Palo Solo and Magdalena Chichicaspa and in the Youth Care Agency of Barrio de San Martín and Colonia San Fernando. These four digital classrooms have more than 109 desktop computer equipment and laptops, printers and scanners, as well as video projectors, cameras and video, monocular biological microscope, interactive globe with pen and all the necessary furniture for operation.

Through these classes, they provide to children, parents, students and teachers of schools; access to information technology through workshops and complementary to traditional educational programs, taught by highly qualified staff.

Similarly, with the free operation of mobile Internet access in public places, Teléfonos de Mexico, seeks, that the general public have free and widespread access to global network of knowledge.

(Source: Telmex, Mexico)

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Like the young people, many older adults seek to keep pace with technological advances. This is the case of Norma Reyes, who at 75 years old can easily handle a mouse and surf in Internet. "Three months ago I was the only one in my house who could not use a computer. Now I can visit many web pages to entertain and inform by myself", Norma says while  she is browsing web pages of news,  listening to music on her website referred to and chat with their classmates.

She is a beneficiary of Digital Literacy Program offered by the Home for the Elderly in the Municipality of Jesus Maria (Lima) and is taught by seven teachers, the most notably is César Taramona, 71 years old, and who argues that: "with great patience and love the most old men of the house are overcoming prejudices".

Ernesto Fierro, 52 old, admits that some years ago he had the opportunity to attend a course with young and older adults, and the old people did not know even how to use a mouse. "It was a shame to see them feel excluded", he recalls. That experience allowed him to see that, except the houses for the elderly in some towns, there were no places where people with his age could learn the principles of the network.

Therefore, he established a Technical Center for Productivity (Cetpro) “Linda Systems”, located in San Borja (Lima), wich offers free computer classes in a session of two hours. People just need to show their ID and be willing to learn.

In 2009 over 200 older adults followed the Digital Literacy Program of Jesus Maria. At these workshops, people learn to create an e-mail, chat, video calls, using a USB and download photos from a digital camera.

The municipalities of Miraflores, San Borja and La Molina in Lima also provide computer classes for older adults.

(Source: educacionenred)

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The Chilean government, Chile's telecommunications company Entel and Ericsson are together implementing a project to provide 3 million people in remote rural Chile with mobile broadband and mobile telephony by the end of 2011. The first stage of the project - Rural Internet Network: All Chile Communicated - was completed in September this year, by which time 1.7 million people had been connected.

Venezuelan Foundation "Infocentro" won UNESCO Prize "Rey Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa" for the Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Education, the organization reported today. The Foundation received the award along with the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education in the United Kingdom, which together will pocket US$ 25,000, according to the UN Agency for Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) in a statement.
 
Selected by the jury because of its project "Literacy technology for adults ", the Foundation "Infocentro" promotes  adults and other users to free access to information and communication technologies, to be trained to learn to Throughout life, they said. The foundation established infocentres in 680 schools around the country and launched a series of teaching modules for high quality, designed for adult learners to improve their computer literacy and acquire more advanced skills in information technology and communication. The winning projects were chosen from 49 nominations from 34 countries, one intergovernmental organization, and the Organization of Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO).
 
Thus, Infocenter has allowed more than one million Venezuelans, including many disabled person, having basic technical knowledge now. The National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) in the UK is the largest NGO dedicated to protecting the interests of adult learners in England and Wales, they said.
 
This year's edition of the award was focused on the "digital basic instruction: to prepare adult learners for learning throughout life and a flexible working life". The General Director of Unesco, Irina Bokova, will present the award in an official ceremony to be held on January 12, 2011 at the headquarters of the Organization in Paris.
(Source: CANTV - Venezuela)
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The site, which was launched on Monday with hundreds of thousands of popular titles on sale and millions more free, will compete for a slice of the market for digital books, valued at about US$ 1,000 million and will continue to grow in coming years .

Google eBooks, formerly known as Google Editions, represents a new opportunity for the Internet giant to come face to face with two of its most powerful rival, Apple Inc. and Amazon.com Inc. and open a new revenue source besides online advertising.

"The publishers want more competition in the market and we already have a large investment", said Tom Turvey, director of strategic partnerships for Google. "We're trying to extend the value of content that exists in the world by helping people to find it and buy it".

Users can purchase books through books.google.com/ebooks and read them in many devices, including tablet computers, smartphones and digital book readers open format. On Monday, Google launched applications to buy and read ebooks for iPhone, iPod Touch and Apple iPad, as well as mobile devices that operate with your operating system Android. Google eBooks will be available outside the U.S. from the first quarter of 2011.

(Source: The Wall Street Journal)
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The workshop on Teacher’s ICT-Competency: Developing the Knowledge Deepening Strand is taking place this week at UNESCO Headquarters in Paris, France. International experts in the field of ICT in education gathered to develop syllabus and assessment benchmarks for UNESCO’s ICT-Competency Framework for Teachers project.

Today’s classroom teachers need to be prepared to provide technology-supported learning opportunities for their students. UNESCO’s ICT Competency Framework for Teachers is an important guideline towards that goal. The objectives of this project are:

to constitute a common core syllabus (defining various ICT competency skills for teachers), which can be used to develop learning materials;

to provide a basic set of qualifications that allows teachers to integrate ICT into their teaching and learning;

to extend teachers’ professional development so as to advance their skills in pedagogy, collaboration and school innovation using ICT;

to harmonize different views and vocabulary regarding the uses of ICT in teacher education.

In a five-day workshop, international experts gathered to further develop the ICT modules to move on from the Phase I version to a more detailed syllabus, including assessment benchmarks. The meeting was opened by UNESCO’s Assistant Director-General for Communication and Information, Jānis Kārkliņš, and the Assistant Director-General for Education, Qian Tang, who stated: “This programme is very important for UNESCO, because teachers are our priority and they are key for reaching the Education for All (EFA) goals. Teachers’ ICT competency becomes an important element of teaching and learning in the 21st century.

Discussions during the workshop reflected the diverse backgrounds and experiences of the international experts, coming from all regions and from countries with different levels of economic development and ICT-readiness.

Jānis Kārkliņš stressed that “ICT-CFT has already become an international reference document - the work of the international experts will ensure ICT-CFT continues to be a valuable resource to Member States.” The syllabus will undergo a broad online peer review by some 150 additional international experts, plus another UNESCO-financed review meeting.

The ICT-CFT project has been developed in partnership with Cisco, Intel, ISTE and Microsoft. Its Phase I produced a Policy Framework, Competency Standards Module and Implementation Guidelines, which included syllabus approaches for the three main areas: Technology Literacy, Knowledge Deepening and Knowledge Creation. Phase II began in April 2010 to develop the next versions of the syllabi, starting with the Technology Literacy strand and now the Knowledge Deepening strand. The final workshop is expected to take place in spring 2011, to further develop the Knowledge Creation strand to provide a complete international reference for teacher education.

The three booklets produced by Phase I of the project are available online:

Policy Framework

Competency Standards Modules

Implementation Guidelines

Source: UNESCO
Further Details

The Ministry of Telecommunications through the National Telecommunications Corporation (CNT EP), delivered 1,200 new telephone lines to the city of Sucúa, jurisdiction of the province of Morona Santiago. In the main coliseum of the town, they met a lot of public, CNT according to the plans set for this year, began the process to award a very significant amount of telephone lines that will benefit the urban and rural towns.

Raul Auquilla Delgado, manager of the CNT in Morona Santiago said that this task involves a group of employees committed to progress and public welfare. With pride and the satisfaction of accomplishment, noted, we stand infront of you today to deliver 1,200 new communication solutions. Sucúa from the beginning was our goal, although the province is in the same line.

 We believe this is the ideal place to announce new projects for our province. "The technology we are running, such as fiber optic cord close to the rest of southern country, will let us provide broadband Internet access", he said.

 In the same way Freddy Moscoso, Manager of the CNT of Caña, who on behalf of the General Manager of the CNT, inaugurated and officially handed over this extension. Also, he mentioned that Morona Santiago, as the Austro of the the country, remained for many years in total abandonment in telecommunications, forcing the CNT to establish new executable projects, whose results are visible to everyone. Sucúa installed capacity, as of today, is doubled.

It is clear progress in the field of telecommunications, we note the change, now users can access Internet services on broadband, and telephony have to communicate nationally and internationally, it reaffirms the links of family memebers and why not say contribute to the economic development of the population. That's Citizen Revolution.
(Source: Mintel - Ecuador)
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Mario Beder, Secretary of State for Education and Training, and Guillermo Ansaldo, president of Telefonica de España, have signed an agreement today in Madrid by with the Spanish operator joins to the Pogram "School 2.0" and launches, as a result thereof, the first flat Rate "Deberes" (Duties) for ADSL market, and also an additional one for Mobile Internet. Both rates, which represent a substantial savings compared to those available for other users, are particularly aimed at parents or legal guardians of pupils in grades 5 and 6 of primary school and 1 and 2 of Secondary Education, and whose schools which develop School 2.0 Program.

Both "Movistar ADSL Duties" as "Duties Movistar Mobile Web" will incorporate additional free services such as Canguro Net, a content filtering service that protects users from inappropriate Internet content, and Aula365, a tutoring service for children between 6 and 16 years old and incorporating multimedia resources for active learning and engaging.

During the presentation ceremony of the Convention, the Secretary of State for Education and Training, Mario Beder, highligted that "with School 2.0 Program The Ministry of Education not only encourages the modernization of our educational system, but also through agreements such as which we signed today is intended to create all conditions for all students and their families have access to the Internet universe on favorable terms".

"Movistar ADSL Duties" will be free of charge in the instalation of the service, and for 16.90 euros per month the user will have a flat rate of surfing - with 1Mb download speeds and 364kb upload speed -from Monday to Sunday from 17:00 hours to 21:00 hours. Calls will be billed at the current rates. The service also includes free wireless router for rent, 5 mailboxes and Web space of 10 Mb

For its part "Movistar Mobile Internet Duties" offers for 9.5 euros per month flat rate unlimited data on the schedule from 17 to 21 hours, every day of the week, through 3G/HSPA network, with maximum speeds of 7.2 Mbps download data, and 2Mbps upload. The 3G modem is free if you purchase a contract committing to stay for 12 months.

Program "School 2.0"
The signing of this agreement is part of the development of the Program "School  2.0", a project that the Ministry of Education has been promoting since September 2009 and aims at the integration of Information and Communication Technology(ICT) in schools.

(Source: Telefónica de España)
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The Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies, through the appropriation of ICT Division, will present "Internet safe". The initiative aims to protect children and adolescents in the country from all forms of online behavior that might damage its integrity.
 
The Viceminister of ICT, María Carolina Hoyos Turbay, will present the strategy "Internet safe" on November 30. "Internet safe" is a proposal that integrates child protection issues on the network as sexual exploitation, pornography and behaviors that affect the integrity of children and young people in the network. The strategy calls on citizens to actively participate in the prevention of sexual exploitation involving minors on the Internet, to denounce, to maintain a communication from parents, teachers and responsible adults with children emphasizing the importance of safe and able to navigate and enjoy safe.

The name INTERNET SAFE, seeks to identify the media campaign and create an icon that can be used by ISP (Internet Sevice Provider) in its different pages based on Colombian thematic, is a name that means that the Colombian state institutions are active and pending to prevent child pornography.
Further details in www.internetsano.gov.co

(Source: Ministry of Information and Communications thecnologies (MINTIC) -Colombia)
Further details

The Minister of Telecommunication and Information Society (Jaime Guerrero Ruiz) signed an agreement with the Director of the School Cariamanga Portoviejo, Canton Province of Loja (Mr. Darwin Torres Jiménez), in order to promote development of Information Society and the Good Life in Ecuador, through the technological and computer equipment in that school.

The Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Society (Mintel), in order to contribute to the organization, execution and implementation of social projects, gave loan, loan application to Portoviejo School: 17 computers with their respective voltage regulators, 17 mouse pads, and a printer, a digital whiteboard and a projector that will be used to promote the efficient use of ICT, benefiting 360 students and 17 teachers of the School Portoviejo.

In the event of delivery, Mr. Jaime Guerrero highlighted how crucial it is for the government to build links that unite hearts and convey knowledge to nurture the intellect of children and young people, present and future of Ecuador, to dream something workable, stating that a child or a neglected child of cantons, as Cariamanga, may be tomorrow, who directs the destiny of the country or holding office as Minister of Telecommunications, which gives you the opportunity to take decisions on behalf of the entire society equally and fairly.

For its part, the Director of the School Portoviejo, Mr. Darwin Torres, said, "In school we are celebrating today Portoviejo, we are ahead of Christmas. We now have a modern, globalized education. Today more than ever we will take every opportunity of development and evolution through access to new technologies". As a token of appreciation Mr. Torres presented plaques of appreciation to the President of the Republic, the Minister of Telecommunications and the Regional Manager of the CNT in Loja, Mr. Manuel Benavidez.

Lady Sarango, Portoviejo flagship school, thanked the President of the Republic, Econ. Rafael Correa, and telecommunications minister, Jaime Guerrero, by providing them with equipment and satellite internet. "This technology will serve as support to interact, learn about different realities and project as student development and progress of our peoples," he said.

(Source: Mintel - Ecuador)
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A new 850 GSM radio base tower from Entel was inaugurated in La Paz, Tumupasa in the province of Iturralde of the Department of La Paz to provide mobile telephony services and public telephony, to Tumupasa as well as the surrounding communities of the region: San Silvestre, Esmeralda, Palestina, Rio Colorado and el Paraíso. So, with this new telecommunications radio base, more than 3 000 people will be benefit in this agricultural region growing. Tumupasa is located at the top on the road between the towns of San Buenaventura and Ixiamas.
 
The new radio base tower corresponds to the expansion project under the rural mobile coverage that Entel has been implementing in coordination with the Ministry of Public Works and Housing Services, a project that aims to democratize the use of telecommunications, not only for urban, but also for rural areas residents.
 
The significant opening ceremony took place in the main square of Tumupasa and was attended by Regional Manager Mr. Entel La Paz, Jorge Gonzales, local authorities and the general public.

(Source: AHCIET)
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 The strategy "Vive Gobierno en Línea", a digital tend that for 6 months trained over 71,500 people in the management of online government tools in different regions of the country, won first place in the Public Administration category of the awards Frida 2010, delivered by CEPAL. "Vive Gobierno en Línea" traveled over 7,500 miles showing on the Colombian that the Government Online program, from the ICT Ministry, works and also gives them many benefits.

"Vive Gobierno en Línea" is a high-scale initiative that a country in the region has implemented to promote the use, knowledge and use of information, transactions and services that state agencies provide online.
 
"For Colombia is an honor to get this recognition. We receive this award with the commitment to continue developing the online government in the country, to ensure that citizens make effective use of these services and thus easier to relate to the state", said the Minister of ICT, Diego Molano Vega, about this distinction.

The award Frida / eLAC 2010's main objective is to recognize research initiatives and digital innovation that contributed to the development of Information Society in Latin America and the Caribbean in recent years.
 
The award FRIDA / eLAC 2010 is organized by the Internet Address Registry for Latin America and the Caribbean (LACNIC), the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), the Internet Society (ISOC) and the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (CEPAL) and comes in different categories, thematic areas of the Regional Strategy on Information Society, eLAC, and by sector of activity.

(Source: MINTIC - Colombia)
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The National Telecommunications Corporation (CNT EP), pursuant to the provisions of the Law Amending the Law of the Elderly and in accordance with the mandate embedded in the Constitution of Ecuador, benefits more than 18,000 users of older by applying an exemption of 50% in the basic  rent of telephone service and the implementation of special modules for care and recovery.
 
Requirements
Users should approach the Internal Revenue Service, IRS, to apply this exemption and according the  information provided by the regulatory body of citizens, they can determine who qualifies to be exempt and not pay the VAT; in addition to the reduction of consumption by 50% in the basic rent directly.
 
Preferential treatment

Integrated Services Centers, CIS, have physical space to care for the elderly in a comfortable and appropriate place. If it is not feasible to go personally to do some processing of requests for products or services of the CNT, authorize in writing to a relative.

 
It should be noted that in case of death of the user, the privileges gained on the telephone line are automatically lost . To be reinstated, it must make the appropriate assignment of rights in the event that the new user is elderly, and the process begins again.

 
Thus, the Ministry of Telecommunications through the CNT EP complies with national government policies and the development of the good life of citizens, seeking to provide more and better telecommunications and connectivity services throughout the country, backed a solid technology platform.

 

(Source: Mintel – Ecuador)

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New law addresses the weaknesses of the networks of telecommunications in disasters, which were revealed in the earthquake of 27 February, especially on backup power antennas, quality of communication services and delivering timely and accurate information to citizens. In case of suspension, interruption or alteration of public telephone service and Internet, users will be compensated.

After the earthquake on last 27 February, President Piñera assumed as one of its commitments to restructure the country's emergency agencies and creating an early warning system "to avoid repetition of dialogues, confusion, ambiguity, we could observe that although we had institutions in charge, none fulfilled its duty to warn the Chileans and may have saved many lives", said the president.

The presidential task has taken a big step forward with the final approval of the National Congress of the Law on Reconstruction and Emergency Telecommunications, which was released yesterday unanimously for the enactment of the Executive. The new body of law creates an early warning system, following the best practices implemented in the U.S.A and Japan, for accurate and timely inform the public how to act in case of disaster.

At the same time, the Act addresses the weaknesses and shortcomings in telecommunications networks exposed after the earthquake happened, increasing the demands on telephone and Internet companies, especially in the field of energy support networks, service quality and communication compensation to users regarding failures or interruptions.

On this last point, the law grants public treatment and Internet service provides automatic deduction and payment of compensation in case of suspension, interruption or disruption of telephone service and Internet. It also clarifies that the discounts and allowances should also apply to services with flat plans and prepaid.

In this way, it seeks to ensure emergency service continuity in the public telecommunications system, providing to the State the tools to coordinate actions and have better infrastructure prepared, identifying critical sites in the network that should have special measures security.

(Source: SUBTEL - Chile)
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Telefónica and Nokia launched the first organic commercial offering in the market, which includes two of the most "sustainable" mobile devices: Nokia N8 and Nokia C7, adapted by the Finnish manufacturer exclusively for movistar. This is the first commercial release to materialize the overall project "Green Customer Experience" of Telefónica, designed to offer customers a "green" experience, since the device was shopping until the end of its useful life.

Spain is the first country where Telefónica starts the project; the proposal will be coming gradually to other countries where the Spanish company has a presence, like UK, Germany, Argentina, Peru and Chile.

This is the first offer "sustainable" integrated between an operator and a manufacturer that links the use of wireless to save power and enables customers concerned about the environment, access terminals made with innovative materials and cutting edge technology and eco-design that minimizes environmental impact, offered for sale also 100% recyclable boxes of smaller size and organic content applications and ad-hoc.

The terminals have ecological applications, reduced packaging, charger, high efficiency and final recycling option. All this accompanied by an attractive commercial offer that rewards the decision to buy this mobile service integrated.

 

(Source: Telefónica)
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Simple mobile technology, like basic cell phones, can be used to save the lives of mothers in childbirth, and improve the care of newborns and children, reaching underserved populations in remote areas. The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Health (PMNCH) praises innovation seen at the second mHealth Conference in Washington, and PMNCH Partners’ Forum in New Delhi.

More advanced mobile technology can do even more, such as checking on patients, keeping records, improving diagnosis and treatment in the field, and letting community health workers consult general practitioners and specialists for guidance."With mobile technologies for health, called ‘mhealth’ or ‘mobile health,’ we’re extending capabilities to where they don’t exist today", says David Aylward, who heads mHealth Alliance, a partnership founded by the United Nations Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation and the Vodafone Foundation.

"At the most basic level, mobile phones can be used to keep track of people, call for emergency assistance, remind them of appointments and share information", says Julian Schweitzer, PhD, former Chair of The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Child Care (PMNCH) and the Chair of the Finance Working Group for the UN Secretary-General's Global Strategy for Women's and Children's Health, launched in September. "But then you can layer on things like check lists, protocols, the steps to ensure a safe birth and action instructions in particular circumstances", says Dr. Schweitzer.

Used by midwives in rural, urban slums and isolated areas, cell phones can also be attached to diagnostic devices, including those used for remote fetal monitoring or remote wireless ultrasound. This lets a midwife or health worker know in advance that a mother must get to a clinic. They can also be used for recording births and deaths or assuring that both women and children get the care they need when and where they need it.

"In the near future, wireless diagnostics like stethoscopes, blood pressure, temperature and insulin monitors, and ultrasounds will enable remote diagnosis and treatment far from the closest doctor or clinic", says Mr. Aylward.

(Source: PMNCH and World Health Organization)

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The highest authorities of the National Telecommunications Corporation (CNT EP) of the regional 2, comprised by Pichincha, Orellana and Napo, reported progress in the province of Orellana.

 
The people of this province have benefited from this service, with a remarkable 496% growth compared to 2008, where connectivity was very low. Fixed telephony grew by 83.09% compared to 2007 and currently have this service more families. This province has significantly increased voice and data services and, in telephony, for example, until 2006 it had 5,584 lines and to date shows an increase with a total of 12,224 lines distributed between several locations.

 
Carlos Loayza, delegate of the General Manager of the CNT EP, reported that the Province of Orellana had 476 Internet ports in 2008 and currently has 2,476 ports, which means an unprecedented growth. The official emphasized that among the localities benefited comprise: Taracoa, Dayuma, Loreto, San Sebastian del Coca, Joya de los Sachas and Coca.

 
The National Government, through its Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Society, cares for the benefits that customers receive from the CNT EP, wich provides the best care to the citizens such as: reduction of response times to customers and delivery of service excellence to raise the levels of satisfaction and quality of life for people throughout the Amazon community.

 
It should be noted that in January 2009, the CNT EP decreased to 50% the values of calls between the 24 provinces. Now call between provinces is 0.02ctvos dollar. This reduction helps more than 1'800,000 subscribers and the National Telecommunication Corporation CNT EP is expected to connect all corners of the country, not only domestically, but also internationally.

(Source: Mintel - Ecuador)
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Telefónica of Perú introduced "Online Business" (NEL), an integrated solution for e-commerce, aimed at professionals, small and medium businesses, allowing them to gain online presence and establish sales channels online at very low cost, opening up interesting prospects for winning new markets and increase their sales worldwide without the need for more investment.

Marcelo Echeguren, Marketing Director of SME Business Segment from Telefónica del Perú said "Today, most SMEs do not have Internet presence, which limits their ability to access large markets and reduces the potential for growth and development. "Online Business" is a turnkey solution that meets this need and reaffirms our commitment to be partners for the development of SMEs". Business Online design tool includes a web page, its own domain, mailboxes, a hosting, technical support by phone and chat and modules for online payments. The latter can have a shopping cart for customers to conduct transactions with debit and credit cards.

For launch, the service is offered free of charge during the first two months; later, as from the third month the customer will have to pay S/.59 (20.98 US$) for their own virtual store with shopping cart included.

(Source: Telefónica del Perú)
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Until the end of this year, the portfolio of Education will implement the first phase of the pilot "My Compu" in order to provide portable computers (laptops) to 3,200 children and 172 teachers from 17 educational institutions in Cuenca, small chuchs of Monay, Totoracocha, Yanuncay and Cañaribamba, and 622 students and 26 teachers from six schools in La Libertad (Santa Elena), as part of its Integrated Technology System for School and Community (SITEC).

In the Government office of Cuenca was signed an agreement with the Municipality of that city for the pilot program. The service includes equipment, awareness, training and assessment, with the input of the municipality on connectivity and logistics.

(Source: Diario El Telégrafo)
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A team of teachers from schools of Neuquén  in Villa La Angostura was one of the winners of American Award for Innovative Education in the Classroom through ICT, which recognizes those educational ventures that successfully incorporated new technologies in the classroom. They were also awarded an initiative of Colombia and one from Mexico.

The event, organized by the Iberoamerican Association of Research Centers and Telecommunication Enterprises (AHCIET), highlighted the work of Gabriela Chaparro, from the school 104 School Corazón de los Lagos, and Alejandra Lopez and Gustavo Perea from the Special School number 18, who presented the project "Para Comunicarnos", which includes the use of computers as an auxiliary resource to facilitate the learning of students with disabilities.

Both institutions will receive 35 netbooks Intel Classmate, two more than expected, which will be split and used according to their specific needs. Also, Ms. Chaparro said that the notebooks will be installed in their computer room, where about 500 children per year, from first to seventh grade, spend their time there.

(Source:CanalAR)
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When you really want to reduce the "digital gap" does not need money. MIN (Child in Zapotec) is an non-profit association that seeks to provide free technology training to the inhabitants of the state of Oaxaca.

Oaxaca is one of the states with the highest rate of illiteracy in the country. 19 percent of people under 15 years old can not read or write, so great efforts are needed so the state gets out of the educational backwardness. MIN puts his two cents. What they do is recycle computer equipment that many consider obsolete, repair, install it - as GNU/Linux- free software and put available for children and young people in disadvantaged areas where technology is almost a luxury.

This, in addition to helping the education of many young people, help the environment by recycling and reuse computer waste which are highly polluting. Its aim is also to spread the free software culture instilling his philosophy. This software is ideal in these cases where resources are scarce and invest in software licenses can be very costly, in addition because the low capacity of the equipments is the only that can operate efficiently.

(Source: VivirMexico)
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During the last week of October, the Venezuelan mobile operator extended its UMTS coverage in 14  new communities, GSM in nine villages and CDMA  in seven localities.

The incorporation of base stations in various parts of the country, to enable mobile communication between more users and service users, reaffirms the commitment of Movilnet, a subsidiary of CANTV, company under the Ministry of Popular Power for Science, Technology and Intermediate Industries in the democratization of access to telecommunications to social justice based on the best technologies available.

Thus, in the last week of October were activated UMTS base stations in places with historically excluded populations such as the city of Amazonas Atures and tourist potential areas as the Archipelago of Los Roques (Federal Dependencies).

The UMTS technology with multimedia capabilities, efficient and fast Internet access through HSDPA (High Speed Download Packet Access) has also been deployed in municipalities of Independencia and San Felipe, Yaracuy state; Guanare Portuguesa, Piar (Upata) of Bolivar, and El Silencio and the Km 9 of El Junquito in Libertador municipality of Caracas.

(Source: CANTV - Venezuela)
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From this year, 98.500 people in 225 isolated rural villages from Junín, get access to public telephone services, residential and / or the Internet via broadband project for isolated locations (BAS) today reported Álvaro Badiola, general manager of Telefonica Peru. "In Junin, the BAS project, implemented by Telefónica and for the Ministry of Transportation and Communications with the funding from the Telecommunications Investment Fund (FITEL), has successfully integrated eight percent of the population of this region to the national telecommunications network", he explained.

Among the beneficiaries are the areas: Chanchamayo, Perené, Yanacancha, Andamarca, Cochas, Mariscal Castilla, Huancayo, Huasicancha, Pucará, Acolla, Monobamba, Sincos, Carhuamayo, Ulcumayo, Mazamari, Pampa Hermosa, Río Negro y Tambo, Satipo, Acobamba, Huaricolca, Huasahuasi, La Unión, Tarma, La Oroya and Marcapomacocha.

Badiola visited Huancayo to head the board of directors of Telefonica del Peru, which met in this city in order to analyze the evolution and prospects of the telecommunications sector in Junín, where Telefonica has more than 890 thousand customers of fixed telephony, mobile telephony , Internet and Cable TV.
"The positive development of telecommunications in Junín responds to the good performance of the economy and businesses in the region," he said.
      
Finally, he said that the Program "Proniño", which fights against child labor through quality education, in Junín is benefiting almost to 2,000 children and adolescents in six educational institutions of Huancayo, Chilca and San Agustin de Cajas.

(Source: Andina - Agencia de Noticias)
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The Vice-Minister of Telecommunications and the Information Society (Mr. Javier Veliz), together with representatives and delegates from various institutions responsible for promoting public safety in the country remained the Third Coordination Meeting of the Plan of Information and Communication Technology ICT for the Citizen Security.

At the meeting, which took place at the premises of the Ministry of Telecommunications, they analyzed the policies of the Plan, which forms part of the Digital Strategy; also they defined the conformation of the Plan Committee and the Planning Team that will represent it. At the meeting, representatives of Mintel spoke on projects developed regarding this subject. Thus, the ministerial adviser, Juan Carlos Cardoso, was involved with the issue "Ecuador Digital Strategy", the Technology Plan Manager, Architect Hugo Gonzalez, intervened on the theme "Functional Structure of the Plan" and the Director of online-Government, Econ. Julia Rodriguez, proposed programs and projects of the Plan.

These resources are applied in projects focused on prevention, mitigation and emergency response of the citizens, which are under the direction of the objectives of the National Plan for Good Living, run by the government.

(Source: Mintel -Ecuador)
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The Government of New Zealand will look into possible mobile-learning initiatives to connect rural schools, following its announcement to subsidise the costs of ultra fast broadband.“The Ministry of Education is currently looking at how to harness the potential of digital devices that nearly all students have already – their mobile phones,” Colin McGregor, Ministry of Education, group manager of curriculum teaching and learning design, told FutureGov Asia Pacific.

“An ‘m-learning’ pilot has already been successfully implemented by Onehunga High School. The Ministry is currently supporting a second project at Howick College in partnership with Waikato University and Vodafone.”

The government has identified broadband as a significant driver for e-learning and equity in education and has committed to providing 97 per cent of schools with access to speeds of 100Mbps or more via the national fibre rollout. The remaining 3 per cent in areas too remote for optic fibre currently receives 10Mbps via satellite or wireless technologies.

The ministry has been using the Virtual Learning Network (VLN), which provides mainly rural students with access to online courses. In 2010, more than 2000 New Zealand students took part in these virtual classes over the VLN.

Other initiatives include the Ministry of Education’s Laptops for Teachers and Principals scheme, which subsidises the leases on laptops for permanent, full-time or part-time teachers at state and integrated schools. The Ministry has about two thirds of the lease cost of the teacher’s laptops and fully subsidises the base model for principals. More than 43,000 laptops are currently on lease, representing an 88 per cent uptake.

(Source: Aisa Pacific futuregov)

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The Minister of Telecommunication and Information Society of Ecuador, Jaime Guerrero, and the Manager of the National Telecommunications Corporation (CNT EP), Cesar Regalado, officially handed over 8,000 telephone lines in the province of Manabi. The event was developed in the public place of Canton El Carmen, one of the most neglected sectors of Ecuador, as it was noted by its inhabitants.

The cantons that will be benefit from the telephone lines are: Jipijapa, 694 lines; Paján 60; Rocafuerte, 258, Pichincha, 76, Veinticuatro de Mayo, 106; Abdón Calderon, 130; Chone, 1395, Jama, 445, Junín, 690 ; Portoviejo, 563, Pedernales, 685, San Vicente, 30, Tosagua, 970, San Isidro, 488, and El Carmen 1407 lines. The provision of telephone lines will enable, to the inhabitants of the counties in the province of Manabi, connect from home with their families nationally and internationally, without having to go to call centers, also they will benefit from connectivity services - Internet.

(Source: Mintel - Ecuador)
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In order to prevent production practices, transmission and consumption of information online that violate the development and security of minors, confidentiality of personal information of citizens and the copyright, it was launched in Colombia the policy of responsible use of ICT. The presentation of the initiative will take place in the framework of the International Seminar of Digital Culture "en TIC confío" to be held between 10 and 11 November in the city of Bogota and will be broadcast to two Latin American capitals and six cities.

The policy of responsible use of Internet and other ICTs seek to promote the appropriation of new technologies by Colombians and strengthen the process of adopting them to improve their quality of life. To implement it, the government will create the Office of Internet users, which will promote compliance functions of the obligations of the industry regarding the contents and keep them informed about their rights and duties. Address, resolve and follow up complaints and suggestions on the contents that violate the development and safety of minors. The defense will consist of an ombudsman with high academic qualifications and legal experience and a consultant.

 Similarly, the Government will implement other strategies for the implementation of the policy of responsible use of Internet and other ICTs, such as: Protection Program of minors online, masive communication program "I trust in ICT" ("en TIC confío"), Online advice service of prevention and crime reporting, Legal status for the protection of personal information and good name of individuals in line, Legal status for the protection of intellectual property, Consumer Protection in Electronic Commerce and International Seminar of Digital Culture "I trust in TIC".

(Source: Mintic - Colombia)
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Mr. Javier Veliz spoke at the official inauguration of the First Congress on Education and Information and Communication Technologies held at the premises of FLACSO in Quito, in order to promote the appropriate use of ICT. The congress was attended by over 500 teachers from public and private schools from different provinces of Ecuador, who were benefited from the knowledge imparted by the discussion of the effective use of ICT through the discussion in groups and forums, in person and virtual, because the event was transmitted via the web channel of FLACSO, which ensured that not only inform the attendees on the progress of science and technology in education.

The ViceMinister of Telecommunication and Information Society spoke about the globalization of Information and Communication Technology and its proper use. In his speech he highlighted the projects undertaken by Mintel Infocenters, highlighting that this project allowed to the community to learn the use of new technologies. Through this projects the community receives equipments, connectivity, digital literacy processes and training to eliminate the digital gap, and foster use of ICT in an inclusive manner.

(Source: Mintel - Ecuador)
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With an investment of about 5.5 billion pesos, "Vive Digital" aims to give Colombia a technological leap over the next four years through the mass of internet and digital ecosystem development of the country. The Plan, wich will be the government policy on ICT over the next four years, was presented by the President, accompanied by the entire cabinet of ministers.
 
The Plan will promote the expansion of infrastructure, building services, application development and technology appropriation by users. This effort is possible thanks to partnerships with private sector initiatives and advanced technology used by all ministries and headed by the President of the Republic, Juan Manuel Santos.
 
The announcement of the Digital Living Plan was made by the government team within the conference ANDICOM organized by CINTEL. Regarding to this point the ICT Minister, Diego Molano Vega, said: "Our commitment as a government will encourage the mass use of the Internet to make a leap toward democratic prosperity. It is shown that the use of ICT tools in the life of every citizen, has a great influence on competitiveness and the development of a country".
 
To carry out the plan, the government will form a Technology Council coordinated by the President of the Republic with the participation of officials from various government and private sector representatives, who will make a detailed analizy and will the scope the goals of "Vive Digital". The formulation of the Digital Living momentum started since 2007 with the ICT Plan, in which more than 13,000 Colombians participated from different regions of the country, with the aim of contributing to the formulation of a plan of mass of use of ICT.

Goals and actions of "Vive Digital":
 As part of measures envisaged for the first 100 days, the ICT Ministry has to introduce the plan "Vive Digital", the technology plan for the next four years, which are established as specific targets for mass internet in 2014:
    * Go from 27% to 50% of households and from 7% to 50% of SME connected to Internet 
    * Multiply by four Internet connections (which mean go from 2.2 to 8.8 million connections).
    * Triple the number of municipalities connected to Broadband through optical fiber networks (from about 200 to 700 municipalities).

To achieve these goals, the Digital Living Plan will develop the digital ecosystem in the country in the following dimensions: infrastructure, services, applications and users, on which will meet specific goals.

Source: MINTIC -  Colombia
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On 21 October, was held the first meeting of the ICT Plan for Public Safety, as part of the Implementation of the Strategy: Ecuador Digital, by the Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Society (Mintel).

Participants who attended the meeting, the Plan Committee members, representing the Ministry of Telecommunication and Information Society were: Mr. Hugo Gonzalez, manager of the ICT Plan for Public Safety; Ec. Julia Rodriguez, director of Online Government, Mr. Alonso Llanos, Director of Broadcasting, Mr. Carlos Freire and Carlos Fernandez as staff members. Also, as a member of the National Planning Secretariat (Senplades) attended the meeting Bolivar Quishpe.

In this meeting, the participants reviewed the methodology to use to enter the Policies, Programs and Projects of the Plan in question, which aims to improve the level of public safety through the use of Information and Communication Technologies, in line with what is stipulated in the National Plan of Good Living. For the Government is important to coordinate actions to strengthen policies for the provision of connectivity, equipment, and digital content readiness.

(Source: Mintel)
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Through the placement of more than 15 kilometers of optical fiber and about 5 000 ports "Aba", the state telecommunications company provides to Venezuela with quality and efficiency of Internet services.

Cantv, as Venezuelan state-owned company committed to the Bolivarian government guidelines give the people the greatest sum of happiness possible. In this way, between April and August 2010, the Information and Communication Technology joined to remote communities in the states of Lara, Bolivar and Tachira. Also, important towns as Santa Elena de Uairen in Bolivar State, Michelena Tachira and the area of Crepúsculo de Lara, which remained outside the country's technological development, now have Internet services, thanks to the fiber optical and the Aba port placement by Cantv.

The telecommunications company, as a sovereign act of mass technology and services in these communities, installed more than 15 kilometers of optical fiber and about 5 000 Aba ports, allowing growth of the telecommunications sector throughout the country. Having a Community Communications Center (CDC Community), a Infocenter, Bolivarian Centers of Informatics and Telematics (CBIT), Equipped Internet Plans and connecting to State agencies; are some of the benefits offered by installing this fiber optic cable by Cantv.

(Source: CANTV-Venezuela)
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"I come to report about a project that you know, that is the subject of submarine cable. I came to inform it because the project had a very interesting twist", noted Mario Esquivel (owner of the company Copaco), he gave this report at the presidential residence. "Do You remember that the Paraguayan proposal was that the cable, to reach Buenos Aires, switch back by Paraguay and Bolivia, and back out to the Pacific Ocean", he said.

The owner of Copaco, with President Fernando Lugo Esquivel announced on Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th October meeting in San Pablo, Brazil, representatives of companies in the Southern Cone countries considered an alternative that enhances the project. He mentioned that the alternative is to create a regional network to join the submarine cable, a network for Paraguay, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Brazil. Regarding to this point, he said that the business representatives from each of these countries will analyze and design a technical project for a regional Network.
 
"This is what I came to inform to the President because I felt that is a very interesting topic for the country and the region because it greatly enriches the project", he said that when the project will materialize, Paraguay will have direct access to nodes or points of global connections at lower cost and faster.

(Sources: AHCIET, Presidencia de Paraguay)
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Electronic Government and Electronic Commerce, were analyzed at the Virtual Cabinet meeting held at the "Palacio de Carondelet", chaired by the President of the Republic, Rafael Correa. "Soon we will see the results, is the main project, perhaps from the public administration", said the President. This is a computer system which will be useful for trade massively as well as the attention of Government to citizens, through the use of new technologies. The goal of electronic government is the transformation into a model of public administration, based on the use and development of Information and Communication Technology.

The President explained that according to international indicator, Ecuador is located in the eighth position among Latin American countries, while worldwide it is in 95 posision among 192 countries. The Electronic Commerce, for its part will let the systematization of various formalities, such as business creation, taxes, loans, licenses, procurement, employment agencies, among others.

Currently it is in process the agreements between Ecuador and Argentina, Cuba, Chile, Spain, Dominican Republic, Colombia, Costa Rica, Peru and Uruguay, to process  universal orders.

(Source: El ciudadano Newspaper - Ecuador)
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About 10 million people in Colombia have internet access, but the information contained in web pages is accessible?. Web accessibility refers to the characteristics and conditions that must have documents and Internet pages that can be accessed by different users, regardless of their physical, sensory, cognitive or technological.
Nowadays the citizens' access to Internet, to new information technologies and communication, is considered a factor of economic growth and social inclusion throughout the world. In Colombia, the State forward strategies to ensure that all citizens can access information and services and transactions online, available on the websites of the State.

One of them is the creation of the Standards Committee, which includes representatives of the Colombian Institute of Technical Standards and Certification (ICONTEC), the Ministry of Information and Communications Technologies (MINTIC), the National Institute for the Blind (INCI), the National Institute for Deaf people (INSOR), La Salle University, the University District and National Open (UNAD); The United Nations Program for Development (UNDP), the Government Online program, Astrolabe and Colnodo.

As part of the actions taken by that Committee, they made available to the public knowledge the project "Technical Standards for Accessibility of web pages in Colombia", which seeks to establish accessibility requirements to be implemented on Web pages of the Country . The rule raises a number of technical tools (hardware and software) that will remove barriers for access to online information and use the information technology. Similarly, the rule seeks technical guidance to national government agencies and businesses in general to approach to this issue, web accessibility.

(Source:MINTIC-Colombia)
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The Bangladeshi mobile operator Grameenphone (of Telenor Group) has set up more than 500 Community Information Centers (CICs) across the country, offering low-rate, but high-speed voice, data and other communication services to previously unconnected people.

Set up with technical assistance from the GSM Association in 2006, Grameenphone CICs are equipped with a minimum of a computer, a printer, a scanner, a webcam and an EDGE-enabled modem to access the Internet. The CICs provide high speed Internet access in rural areas, where the nearest Internet facilities would otherwise be at least 20-30 miles away. The centres are extending connectivity to those who have no alternative access to communication technologies and to those with little to spend on such services.

The CICs are designed to be run independently as small businesses by local entrepreneurs. The centres are set up in selected rural areas around the country, and people pay a small fee to access email or Web pages. Together with partners, Grameenphone also provides microcredit if needed and trains the entrepreneurs so that they become aware of the full potential of their business.

(Source: Telenor)

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Two new acts in the rural area of the country allowed the official launch of mobile services and public telephony from the nationalized company, Entel. This time it was in the department of La Paz; Quime in the province of Inquisivi, and Laja, in the province of Los Andes, celebrated the arrival of the coverage of Entel.
The inauguration of the base stations with thecnology GSM 850, corresponding to expansion projects of rural mobile coverage, Entel has been implementing this project in coordination with the Ministry of Public Works and Housing Services.

QUIME
To 4.5 hours far from the seat of government, the population of Quime, at the time of its CXXIII creation anniversary, celebrated the opening of the phone antenna which reaches more than 3,000 inhabitants, as well as the population of chyme, the antenna coverage reaches Irupaya communities, Itiamaya, Marquirivi, Ornuni, Lurini Lurini Chico and Grande.

LAJA
The antenna of Entel allows the arrival of mobile telephony and public telephony, benefiting more than 3,000 inhabitants, as extended coverage, as well as Laja, the antenna reaches communities of Caicoma, Sullcataca Alta and Baja, San Cristobal, Tambillo Pomacolto and Santa Rosa. The historic town of Laja is located at 27 km distance from the seat of government.

In both openings, hundreds of children received traditional schoolbags of Entel, which was delivered by the social responsibility area of the company.

(Source: Entel - Bolivia)
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