The Ministry of Telecommunications and the Information Society, along with the Technical Secretariat of the Special Territorial Circumscription of the Amazon and the National Council of Rural Parish Governments, received 400 audio and video technology kits from German Cooperation GIZ on April 7. The equipment will be distributed to Free Digital Points in Ecuador’s Amazon provinces.
The initiative aims to improve learning, communication, local productive development, and reduce the digital divide for users in these regions. The event took place in Puyo, Pastaza province, with participation from national and local authorities as well as international cooperation representatives.
Ricardo Gutiérrez, Vice Minister of Information and Communication Technologies at MINTEL, said: “Desde el Ministerio trabajamos para garantizar que la tecnología llegue a todos los rincones del país.” He thanked German Cooperation GIZ’s SinCero II Program for providing cameras and headphones to strengthen Free Digital Points in the Amazon. He also stated that “se han sentado las bases del nuevo proyecto Puntos Digitales Gratuitos Amazonía 2026 – 2030, gracias a la Cooperación Alemana GIZ.”
Fiorella Mayaute, director of Sincero II – Good Governance for a Transparent and Honest Ecuador at GIZ Germany Cooperation Agency said: “Mejorar la infraestructura y operatividad de los Puntos Digitales Gratuitos con audio y video permite ofrecer un servicio de telecomunicaciones más accesible, facilitando el acceso a servicios digitales y generando mayor satisfacción en los usuarios, lo que incrementa la confianza en estos servicios”.
Daniela Tamayo, technical secretary for the Amazon region said that Free Digital Points are essential spaces for communities by guaranteeing free internet access while promoting digital training and facilitating online procedures. “Son lugares donde se garantiza el acceso gratuito a internet… Son sin duda centros de transformación social educativa y productiva,” she said.
With these actions, officials say Ecuador is reaffirming its commitment to building a robust digital network in the Amazon region that has real impact on residents’ lives.
