On October 23 Integra wrapped up its technical assistance in Colombia, with the presentation of a strategic plan for Compartel, a telecommunications organization under the direction of the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology (MINTIC). The “Broadband Strategic Plan: 2013-2017” (below, in Spanish), was developed by Compartel in collaboration with Integra’s consultants working under USAID’s Global Broadband and Innovations program (GBI). The project also falls under the Broadband Partnership of the Americas, an initiative announced by President Obama while he was in Colombia in April 2011.

This plan signifies a continued commitment by the Colombian government to increase access to telecommunications throughout the country, particularly into rural areas. Specifically, it includes identification and analysis of broadband access gaps throughout the country, as well as a plan to close those gaps and expand service, particularly in rural and underserved areas. GBI consultants Daniel Espitia and David Townsend have worked alongside Compartel since the beginning of 2012 on several initiatives which led to the development of this strategic plan. Their work included a review of ICT coverage and penetration data, an ICT market assessment, and the evaluation of Compartel’s past and current programs.

In addition to the broadband strategy, the strategic plan suggests ways to strengthen Compartel’s institutional capacity, in light of its recent restructuring into the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology. One recommendation includes adopting an administrative model that will enable the organization to control its own budget. Such measures will better enable Compartel to implement and monitor it’s projects.

Compartel is no stranger to success in administering ICT programs including its rural telephony program, and the deployment of over 2000km of terrestrial fiber and 800km of undersea cable. It also has a contract to build out another 18,000km of its national fiber network. Taking these strides into account, the strategic plan redefines the organization’s mission and provides a national broadband strategy so it can continue to build upon their progress made in recent years. Furthermore, through the market assessment, it can target its efforts to address high-priority areas. This is the first document of its kind under the GBI Program, and Integra hopes that Compartel will benefit from the strategy to better serve communities throughout the country in need of telecommunication services.