Panama's presidential candidates' ICT proposals focus on making the country a regional technology hub, improving connectivity, and digital education.
“Panama's diagnosis shows that significant progress has been made in recent years thanks to collaboration and cooperation between the public and private sectors, and outstanding practices have been achieved across the region through enhanced dialogue,” the GSMA report said. Says. Said.
This report highlights policies that will help reduce spectrum charges by more than 60% for AWS bands in 2022 and for low and mid-frequency bands in 2024.
Digicel's exit and mergers and acquisitions have changed the structure of the sector. The country is preparing for further changes by modernizing its telecommunications laws to simplify procedures, increase competition, and create business models focused on infrastructure and spectrum sharing.
5G bidding is also underway, with carriers such as Cable and Wireless testing the technology.
The GSMA is recommending that the next government, which begins its term on July 1, speed up the allocation of the 3.5GHz band, which is critical for 5G, to mobile services.
Regulator Asep has identified 91MHz of spectrum in the 1.5GHz band, 85MHz in the 2.3GHz band and 3250MHz in the 26MHz band. Approximately 176MHz of the medium band and 3250MHz of the high (millimeter frequency) band will be available to mobile phone operators.
None of the four main candidates in Sunday's election have directly mentioned issues such as 5G, but they have mentioned other ICT goals, such as the need to promote technology education and connectivity.
BNamericas provides an overview of candidates' science and technology plans.
Jose Raul Mulino
José Raul Mulino, the leading candidate representing the centre-right coalition, became a candidate after the disqualification of Ricardo Martinelli, but it remains unclear whether he will be on the ballot.
Mr. Mulino's plan proposes to define “innovation and technical education as pillars of the education system, integrating English language learning and preparation for the global labor market.”
martin torrijos
Only former President Martín Torrijos has mentioned the opportunity to use the CHIPS Act to attract US companies to establish the last link in the semiconductor chain (assembly, testing, packaging).
The center-right candidate is proposing to rebuild 400 Infoplazas, community centers offering free internet access that register 1 million visitors a year.
Currently, the Infoplaza is managed by a private organization and the computers are provided by the scientific development agency Senacyt. “Models need to change not only to enable the implementation of the Panama Se Capacitor Program and help reduce the digital divide, but also to provide telehealth services,” the program states.
Torrijos also proposes a significant increase in science and technology investment and a focus on STEM education, the creation of innovation centers and technology parks, and support for applied research.
Romulo Lou
Center-right candidate Romulo Roux plans to overhaul and modernize science, innovation and technology policies to promote economic and social development.
His government plan proposes a gradual increase in research and development investment from 0.16% of GDP to 1%. He also proposes creating an innovation and technology center and attracting international private investment through labor, fiscal and immigration incentive policies.
Another proposal concerns smart city policies, including solutions for public transport, tourism, waste management, energy efficiency, and urban security.
Ricardo Lombana
Ricardo Lombana of the Mocá Party also wants to make Panama a regional science and technology center by promoting education that leverages big data, IoT and AI technologies.
Aims to incorporate technology into public sector processes with the aim of increasing transparency and reducing bureaucratic processes.
The plan also calls for integrating science, technology and innovation into education, academia and public health, creating a system of collaboration between universities, businesses and nations, and establishing an AI, robotics and data science institute at the Panama Polytechnic University. It also refers to the creation of
