Dominican Republic and Spain promote satellite project to reduce digital gap in rural areas

Madrid, Spain. – In a joint effort to reduce the digital divide and ensure equitable access to connectivity, the Dominican Institute of Telecommunications (INDOTEL), the Government of the Kingdom of Spain and the Spanish company Hispasat signed a collaboration agreement to explore the participation of the Dominican Republic in the development of a joint project for the sharing of space telecommunications infrastructures. The memorandum was signed in Madrid, Spain, by Guido Gómez Mazara, president of the Board of Directors of INDOTEL; María Amparo López Senovilla, Secretary of State for Commerce of the Ministry of Economy, Commerce and Enterprise of Spain, and Pedro Duque, president of the company Hispasat.

This collaboration allows the Dominican Republic to participate in this satellite program, in which several Latin American and Caribbean countries are already working. The objective is to provide the country with a sovereign digital infrastructure that allows improving connectivity in hard-to-reach regions and managing its public policies with independence and technical efficiency.

Gómez Mazara highlighted that this agreement not only represents technical cooperation, but also a commitment to collective well-being. "When one establishes these types of agreements, a path is initiated to guarantee space infrastructures that bring the satellite notion to the Dominican Republic with the healthy interest of reducing inequalities and guaranteeing access to connectivity as an important step for the country's development." The president of INDOTEL emphasized that, "our government has an emphasis on the social character. Allowing the most vulnerable to have access to the internet is a decision that seeks to generate equality of opportunities, whose satellite component will also be crucial in border areas." In addition, the creation of a Binational Technical Table was agreed upon to assess the current and future connectivity demand, as well as identify opportunities for the training of local talent. In that sense, Gómez Mazara stated: “We are going to knock on all doors, especially university ones, because due to the characteristics of the Dominican labor market, it is essential that professions align with the technological challenges of the 21st century.” He emphasized that this is the beginning of a strategic alliance with a shared vision, common goals, and, above all, the firm conviction that access to technology is an enabling right for development. This agreement lays the groundwork for the creation of a binational Technical Table that will identify the current and future satellite connectivity needs of the country, especially in rural areas, historically excluded from technological advances. Through this space for cooperation, concrete projects that integrate space technology for the strengthening of essential public services will be evaluated. The project has the technical and financial support of the Spanish Government, through instruments managed by the Secretary of State for Commerce, and with the experience of Hispasat as a leading operator in satellite solutions in Latin America. This synergy will allow the design of sustainable initiatives that guarantee the technological independence and autonomy of the Dominican State in telecommunications.

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This bilateral collaboration reinforces the vision of the Dominican Government, headed by President Luis Abinader, to bring progress and digital transformation to every corner of the country, with public policies aimed at modernizing State services, boosting the economy, and reducing inequalities. The agreement's rubric was attended by the member of the Board of Directors of INDOTEL, Tomás Pérez Ducy, and its executive director, Julissa Cruz. The Dominican ambassador to the Kingdom of Spain, Tony Raful, also attended.

The Shared Satellite Infrastructure Project

Satellite connectivity allows overcoming the limitations of terrestrial infrastructures, providing coverage in areas where traditional telecommunications networks do not reach or are costly to implement. With this technology, the Spanish company Hispasat guarantees reliable internet access. This connectivity contributes to the development of key sectors such as distance education, telemedicine, and other vital digital services.

With the signing of this agreement, there are now seven Latin American countries that have joined the preliminary studies to implement this project: Colombia, Brazil, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Paraguay, Dominican Republic and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM).