The Government of the Canary Islands has completed a project to improve the speed and reliability of connections, increasing security in the communications of public reference centers. These centers provide essential services, such as healthcare, social and equality services, such as hospitals, health centers, educational and training centers, and other public centers in the different provinces.
Thus, the main objective of the project is to guarantee that all citizens, regardless of their location, have access to modern and efficient digital services, thus reducing the digital divide between urban and rural areas.
The installation of this advanced equipment marks a milestone in the digital modernization of the archipelago, improving not only the quality of public services, but also promoting new educational, health and research opportunities, thus promoting the socioeconomic progress of the archipelago. This facilitates access to high-quality public services and helps to address the demographic challenge.
Specific improvements in health and educational centers
The implementation of WiFi technology in health centers allows health professionals to now access medical information and patient records more quickly and securely, leading to more accurate and timely diagnoses and treatments. In addition to health centers, improvements have been made in other public centers, reaching a total of 277 locations.
In the educational field, action has been taken in 294 centers. Improving WiFi connectivity allows students and teachers to access digital educational resources, promote interactive learning and facilitate the use of advanced educational tools. This improvement in connectivity facilitates virtual classes, access to online learning platforms and the use of innovative technologies in the classroom, preparing students for the digital future.
With this project, the Government of the Canary Islands fulfills its commitment to ensure that at least 9,000 reference centers and public services in Spain reach a minimum connectivity speed of 1 Gbps and WiFi 6. In the Canary Islands, an increase of 27% has been achieved over the initial objective, benefiting 120 additional centers. This improvement in digital connectivity significantly contributes to the modernization of the digital infrastructure in the islands, facilitating equitable access to quality digital services.
This project has been financed through the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism (MRR) of the Next Generation EU funds, within the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan of the Government of Spain. The initiative aligns with the objectives of digital connectivity, cybersecurity and 5G deployment, seeking to close the digital divide between rural and urban areas.
In 2022, the Government of the Canary Islands launched a tender valued at 6,660,204.92 euros, which was finally awarded to Telefónica Soluciones de Informática y Comunicaciones de España S.A.U. for a value of 6,008,420.45 euros. The execution of the project took place during 2023 and 2024.
Scope of the project and technologies implemented
The contract included the installation of high-speed electronic communications networks, capable of offering services at speeds of 1 Gbps, through the supply, installation and configuration of network switches and a WiFi solution at the aforementioned speed.
Regarding technology, the project combines high-quality equipment from leading global manufacturers, such as Cisco and Huawei, leaders in LAN access equipment, both wireless (access points) and wired (switches). This selection guarantees maximum performance, reliability and security of the WiFi network, ensuring an optimal user experience.
In total, 903 switches and 3,364 WiFi 6 points were installed, covering 571 actions in public centers.
This initiative is a crucial step towards achieving universal high-speed broadband coverage, promoting equal opportunities and sustainable development in all areas of the archipelago. With the modernization of the digital infrastructure, the Canary Islands is positioned at the forefront of technological innovation, ensuring that all citizens can benefit from advances in connectivity and digital services.
