The Ministry of Communications announced investments for Juazeiro (BA) and Petrolina (PE), the country's main irrigated fruit-growing centers, to expand access to connectivity and information, according to a note from "Agência Brasil". The municipality of Juazeiro in Bahia received investments of around R$ 39 million for the expansion of mobile telephony in rural areas. In total, 23 telephone stations will be installed in 24 rural locations, expanding the population's access to essential services, education, health, business opportunities, and communication. The inauguration of new public digital television channels and new investments in training through the Computer Refurbishment Center (CRC) of the Federal University of the São Francisco Valley (Univasf) are also planned. "Our commitment is to ensure that digital transformation reaches all Brazilians, regardless of where they live." “These investments in Juazeiro mean more internet, more access to information, more opportunities for study, work and income generation for those living in rural areas,” explained the Minister of Communications, Frederico de Siqueira Filho. The initiative is part of the federal government's rural connectivity expansion program. In Bahia, 81 mobile phone towers have already been installed in rural areas, benefiting 37 municipalities. The cities of Juazeiro and Paulo Afonso will also have new digital channels from Empresa Brasil de Comunicação (EBC) and the Legislative Network. The expansion is carried out through the Brazil Digital Program and increases the population's access to educational, cultural, informative and institutional programming in open and digital signal. In Juazeiro, the system received a federal investment of approximately R$ 885,000, while Paulo Afonso received about R$ 590,000.
Pernambuco
In Petrolina, 13 rural communities now have access to mobile telephony and 5G internet. With an investment of R$ 20.4 million from the Ministry of Communications, areas that previously lacked cell phone signal now have this access. The announcement was made during the graduation ceremony of 1,500 students from the Computers for Inclusion and Digital Truck programs. The Ministry of Communications delivered 12 mobile telephony stations that will directly benefit these locations. “We are bringing cutting-edge technology to the Sertão region. Each antenna installed represents opportunities that simply did not exist before. Those who live in the interior will have access to the same digital opportunities available in large urban centers,” reinforced the minister. For Márcio Nonato, president of the Association of Family Farmers of the Nossa Senhora de Fátima Settlement in the rural area of Petrolina, the arrival of 5G is an evolution for the community. “We have 80 families here, and before, we depended on Wi-Fi. If I left my house or moved around the village, I would be cut off from communication. Now, wherever I am, I'm connected by 5G, and people can easily find me,” he celebrated, having lived in the neighborhood for 24 years. In addition to benefits such as remote payments, telehealth consultations, and access to federal government applications, Márcio Nonato emphasizes that the population faced communication problems for emergencies. “We didn't have a phone signal to call SAMU 192 directly, and now we can call and dispatch an ambulance. We achieved this today through 5G technology.” In the state of Pernambuco, the program has already installed 267 mobile phone towers in rural areas, benefiting 114 municipalities. The total investment in the state reaches R$ 453.9 million, with R$ 345.1 million already spent and another R$ 108.8 million planned until the end of 2026.
This text was translated by machine from Brazilian Portuguese.