Connectivity in the Amazon: Solutions Must Reach People to Drive Transformation
The Amazon On panel brought together the World Bank, the ITU, UNESCO and the private sector to discuss practical experiences, barriers to digital inclusion and the role of cooperation in developing sustainable solutions for the region.
Expanding connectivity in the Amazon requires more than deploying infrastructure. It means understanding community needs, guiding investment through evidence-based decisions and translating digital access into tangible benefits for the population. This was the central theme of the panel “Amazonia: Successful Experiences, Needs, Barriers, Solutions and Transformation,” moderated by Otávio Pieranti, a member of Anatel’s Board of Directors.
Representing the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Ana Veneroso emphasized that digital transformation must take into account the social, cultural and environmental characteristics of each territory.
“There is no single solution, nor can a solution come from a single sector or rely on a single technology,” Ana Veneroso said.
Ana Veneroso also addressed the relationship between technology and climate change, highlighting the importance of strengthening community networks, building local capacity and developing solutions suited to rural, Indigenous and remote populations.
On behalf of UNESCO, Rafael Radke drew attention to a barrier that does not always receive the consideration it deserves: language. Although thousands of languages are spoken around the world, a much smaller proportion is represented in the digital environment. Integrating Indigenous languages into devices and interfaces, as illustrated by the discussion of Nheengatu, shows how technology can expand access to information while respecting community identities. For Radke, success must be measured by the tangible benefits it delivers, including autonomy, knowledge and participation.
Luciano Charlita, the World Bank’s Senior Specialist in Digital Development and Artificial Intelligence, presented data on connectivity gaps across the international Amazon region. According to the studies discussed, a lack of connectivity can result in efficiency losses of 15% to 30% for local bioeconomy producers. Charlita also highlighted the potential of TV 3.0 as a platform for public service delivery, enabling information to be tailored to different communities and content to be made available in multiple languages.
From the private sector perspective, Leandro Brum, CEO of EFTS Group in Brazil, presented the use of data to identify gaps in coverage, service quality and competition, supporting more precise investment decisions. Analyzing municipal-level indicators makes it possible to prioritize regions and direct available resources toward actual connectivity needs.
In closing, the panelists underscored the importance of cooperation among governments, businesses, international organizations and local communities. As Brum summarized, “it is the benefits generated by solutions that operate through connectivity that make a difference for the population.”
The discussion reinforced a central principle for digital development in the Amazon: connectivity is only the starting point. Transformation happens when infrastructure, public policies and technological solutions translate into opportunities, services and a better quality of life.
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