Two new free Digital Points have been launched in Manabí, Ecuador, aimed at improving internet connectivity in the region. The San Antonio Digital Point is located in the Ayacucho parish of Santa Ana canton, while the Pile Digital Point is situated in Montecristi canton. These facilities are expected to benefit over 24,000 residents—8,000 in San Antonio and 16,000 in Pile.
Ricardo Gutiérrez, Vice Minister of Information and Communication Technologies, officially opened the San Antonio facility on Friday and will inaugurate the Pile center on Monday. During the opening ceremony, Gutiérrez stated: “This connectivity project not only brings internet to every home but also opens doors to new ways of learning, communicating and growing. The National Government has a clear vision: to reduce the digital divide in Ecuador. Nationally, we have reached a total of 978 Free Digital Points. We are close to having a thousand spaces available! This means that millions of people across Ecuador now have access to technology.”
The initiative is part of an effort by the Ministry of Telecommunications and Information Society (MINTEL) under President Daniel Noboa’s administration to enhance technological development and innovation throughout Ecuador. In addition to providing technological tools, these centers offer ongoing training sessions covering basic computing skills, social media use, programs such as CreaTIC and TIC Artesanos, as well as courses run through partnerships with Fundación Slim. Residents can also receive support for conducting government procedures online.
Since November 2023, Manabí has inaugurated 75 Free Digital Points which have collectively received more than 800,000 visits and delivered over 54,000 training sessions.
According to MINTEL officials leading these efforts with presidential support from Daniel Noboa: “With these initiatives…we aim not only to improve quality of life for Ecuadorians but also foster economic growth and innovation in the country.”
