Internet Access and Connectivity

The goal of this theme is to provide funding for projects, initiatives or solutions that seek to provide Internet connectivity to currently unconnected populations across Latin America and the Caribbean, rural areas and/or urban areas with poor Internet coverage.

This thematic area focuses both on alternative access models through intranets, community-managed networks, and/or the installation of small and medium-sized ISPs, as well as on the development of affordable connectivity technologies (such as routers, tablets, processors, and others) and/or free software that will simplify the deployment of networks and reduce cost barriers to connection.

The purpose is to support projects, initiatives or solutions that focus on providing a quality service, either by increasing the quality of existing connectivity in terms of connection speed, coverage, network capacity, or based on the measurement and assessment of community access needs, as well as other related initiatives.

With this thematic axis, FRIDA seeks to fund projects, initiatives, or solutions that focus on the challenges faced daily by regional internet service providers operating in a specific department or state, often in areas with access issues, via wireless technology and/or last-mile fiber optics, which serve an average of 2,000 mostly residential subscribers, and in many cases become leaders within their local communities due to their proximity and identification with their clients.

Proposals under this theme may focus on purchasing infrastructure and/or equipment, generating business strategies and/or internal training, improving interconnection, or meeting other needs to help promote the development of ISPs across Latin America and the Caribbean.