Brazil proposes South American broadband network

[ocpagu]

Brazil on Tuesday proposed the creation of a fiber optic broadband connection network linking all South American countries to bring down the cost of Internet and cellular phone access.

Addressing his fellow South American communications ministers, Brazil's Paulo Bernardo said the goal was to build "a ring of South American fiber optic networks" linking all countries of the region.

He noted that many regional countries were communicating with each other via the United States.

"It is an issue easy to resolve..It would cost $60 million (45 million euros). We could do it in two years," he added.

Read more:
http://news.yahoo.com/brazil-proposes-south-american-broadband-network-200554106.html

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Communication minister Paulo Bernardo noticed that "An Internet provider in South America pays, in the best of cases, three times more for the connection than in the United States."

It's really impressive how expansive broadband access is in South America, at least, here in Brazil. I hope this initiative to work.

[Judi Lynn]

1. So glad someone has made this information public.There's no time to waste. Change is needed, now!

Isn't it a shame people have had to either go without, or pay far more than they should to do it the way they're using now?

Loved that closing statement from a real humanitarian, sarcasm intended:

Meanwhile, Colombia's Maria Emma Mejia, the secretary general of the Union of South American Nations (UNASUR), said it was important to involve the private sector in the initiative.

Oh, that's so important, making sure private business will be allowed to suck up as much money as possible, and forget what's in the best interests of the people!

Hope they get a great plan and put it in motion right away, delivering control to the Latin American countries, and the people.

[ocpagu]

2. Right on.

If private sector gets involved, we all know how it will end up. Probably the prices will triple.

I can't stand Maria Mejia. Hope she leaves the secretary-general of UNASUR as soon as possible.

[Bacchus39]

3. internet service providers are typically private, in the free world anyway

just like cell phone companies.