The Costa Rican project “Espacios Públicos Conectados” (Connected Public Spaces) has been honored at the Wi-Fi Now Awards

The plan aims to minimize the digital divide in a social and inclusive manner so as to have an impact on the general population, regardless of age, gender and nationality

The project, driven by Costa Rica’s Superintendencia de Telecomunicaciones (Sutel) to establish 515 points with free WiFi, received the top prize in the affordable connectivity category at the Wi-Fi World Congress held in London.

“Espacios Públicos Conectados” (Connected Public Spaces), which Nae has helped manage on a technical level, is linked to an ambitious plan aimed at minimizing the digital divide in a social and inclusive manner so as to have an impact on the general population, regardless of age, gender and nationality, under the slogan “Zii para todos.”

Zii points (wireless Internet zones) offer 24/7 service for up to 100 simultaneous users, with security mechanisms against inappropriate use and that also block access to harmful or violent content. These spaces are not only able to detect and block intruders, but they are also equipped with antivirus software, protections against attacks, and security/confidentiality standards for users’ personal data.

Nae views this award as proof that the “Espacios Públicos Conectados” program is a step in the right direction and will play a key role in minimizing the digital divide in Costa Rica. We are proud of contributing our knowledge and experience, and will continue to work alongside Sutel, the Fondo Nacional de Telecomunicaciones (Fonatel), telecommunications providers and the industry in order to make the program’s objectives a reality.

The Wi-FI Now organization, which is backed by the Wi-Fi Alliance and the world’s leading manufacturers, gave an award to the Google Station project in the 2018 edition.