Strengthening the “Conéctate NL” Program
The state government of Nuevo León has announced the expansion of its free internet program, “Conéctate NL,” from 132 access points in 27 municipalities to 565 Wi-Fi hotspots across 39 municipalities. This significant increase is backed by an investment exceeding 45 million pesos, according to Gloria Morales, the Secretary of Administration.
Addressing Digital Divide
The primary goal of this initiative is to reduce the digital divide by providing free internet access in essential locations such as schools, hospitals, Metro stations, community centers, and other public spaces. This will enable individuals to study, work, communicate, complete tasks, and access services more efficiently and at no cost.
Improving Existing Infrastructure
Morales explained that many of the existing Wi-Fi points inherited by the current administration were non-functional due to high demand surpassing their capacity. This led to frequent connection issues.
- The team from the Subsecretaría de Tecnologías devised a three-pronged plan to address these challenges:
- Increased internet speed, ranging from 200 to 1000 megabytes, ensuring a more stable and reliable connection.
- Expanded coverage by implementing cost-saving strategies to triple the number of free Wi-Fi access points, making public resources more efficient.
- Enhanced network maintenance to ensure optimal connection quality and eliminate external factors hindering proper internet functionality.
These improvements have resulted in a substantial increase from 16,000 monthly users to 400,000 users.
Impact on Healthcare
Alma Rosa Marroquín, the Secretary of Health, highlighted the positive impact of “Conéctate NL” on healthcare services. The program benefits not only healthcare workers but also patients and their families.
- Approximately 400 medical facilities, including 172 primary care centers, 10 hospitals, seven UNEMES (Specialized Medical Units), a rehabilitation center, dental specialty center, and Capasist (center for HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment) now receive the benefits of this program.
Educational Capacity Building
Juan Paura, the Secretary of Education, emphasized that this connectivity project is a significant achievement for the education sector. In November, a program will commence to train educators on innovative technology and digital education.
- The training will primarily target the southern region of Nuevo León, which houses over 150 schools with extended or full-time schedules.
- This initiative will be crucial for the nearly 1.05 million students across almost 5,000 public schools requiring these digital projects.
Key Questions and Answers
- What is the “Conéctate NL” program? It’s a free internet initiative by the Nuevo León state government to provide Wi-Fi access in essential public locations like schools, hospitals, and community centers.
- What challenges did the program face initially? Many existing Wi-Fi points were non-functional due to high demand and limited capacity, causing frequent connection issues.
- How has the program been improved? The state government increased internet speed, expanded coverage, and enhanced network maintenance to ensure a more reliable and stable connection.
- What impact has “Conéctate NL” had on healthcare? The program benefits healthcare workers, patients, and their families by providing reliable internet access in medical facilities.
- What educational initiatives are being implemented alongside “Conéctate NL”? A capacity-building program on innovative technology and digital education will be launched for educators, particularly targeting schools in the southern region of Nuevo León.
