communication

Internet coverage to grow

JORGE FERNANDEZ/LA PRENSA

Martín Torrijos1072884

President Martín Torrijos signed a law yesterday that calls for 100 percent Internet access across the country.

“Internet access is the linchpin in the strategy to provide equal opportunities,” Torrijos said after signing the law in the presence of telephone company representatives and leaders from rural communities.

The law creates an advisory board of that will monitor the expansion of service. The country's telephone companies will finance the expansion through a 1 percent surcharge on pre-tax profits.

Jorge Nicolau, general manager of Cable & Wireless, said that Panama is following a trend that has started in other countries.

“Those who can not gain access to information will lag behind the rest of the country,” he said.