Ericsson signs collaborative alliance with Mexico’s Federal Telecommunications Institute
President of Ericsson North & Central Latin America
President of Ericsson North & Central Latin America
President of Ericsson North & Central Latin America
Access to digital technology and the internet has become essential in many areas of life, including education, employment, healthcare, and communication. However, in Mexico, millions of people do not have access to these resources. According to data from the National Institute of Statistics and Geography (INEGI), only 47.7% of households have internet access, and this number drops to 15.8% in rural areas. This means that many children and young people living in these areas do not have the same educational opportunities as those living in urban and more developed areas. Lack of internet access also limits the ability of individuals to access online job opportunities, healthcare resources, and other essential services that are increasingly becoming digitalized.
Closing the digital divide in Mexico is essential to ensuring that all citizens have equal opportunities to access digital technology and internet connectivity. This can be achieved through a variety of measures, including the expansion of broadband infrastructure in rural areas, the development of digital skills training programs, and the provision of more efficient technology and infrastructure so that disadvantaged communities can have easier access to internet and connectivity.
Empowering students with access to digital skills
Ericsson is proud to be forming a collaborative alliance with the Federal Telecommunications Institute (IFT) with the purpose of facilitating inclusive learning opportunities for all, as well as universal access to digital technology and the internet.
This is a starting point, defining a base framework to generate collaboration between the Mexican digital system where the government and an organization such as Ericsson join efforts to encourage digital inclusion and education in Mexican society.
By forming this alliance, we are committed to promoting training projects and technological development in matters of telecommunications, as well as promoting trust and the responsible and safe use of telecommunications, information and communication technologies, digital services and digital inclusion as well as protecting the rights of users.
Through Ericsson Educate and the Digital Lab program, Ericsson will provide free access to 21st century technologies on-line content available at IFT’s education platform. The program provides an introductory level coverage on Artificial Intelligence, Telecommunications, IoT, 5G, Data science, Automatization, and Automatized learning, with content that is continuously updated with relevant topics. The Digital Lab program consists in the development of competences around ICT, beginning with the delivery of the Game Development module, one of the four modules of the Program. This will be delivered through a 10-hour workshop hosted over two days, where 40 students aged between 15-18 years old are expected to join the workshop. Participants will be led by 16-20 employee volunteer trainers.
By providing accessible and updated digital content from our digital platforms, we can co-create more inclusive learning systems and prepare people today to continually reinvent their skillsets and mindsets for tomorrow.
A joint responsibility to close the digital divide
One important step in closing the digital divide is the development of policies that promote universal access to digital technology and the internet. Companies like ours can, and must, provide that help based on the capabilities we work to create in our people, customers, and society to expand their services to underserved areas. By incorporating digital technology into learning spaces, we can help provide students with the skills they need to succeed in the digital age.
The digital divide in the region is a significant challenge that must be addressed. By aiding and taking actions towards closing this gap, we can help ensure that all citizens have equal access to digital technology and internet connectivity, which will promote economic growth, social inclusion, and educational opportunities.
https://www.inegi.org.mx/temas/ticshogares/
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