WOM’s ‘Connected Schools’ program already benefits more than 42 thousand students nationwide

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  • WOM completed the 2023 program that connected 100 schools with free Internet in communities such as Florida, Cañete, Cabildo, Llay Llay, Navidad, La Estrella, Pumanque, among others, distributed between the regions of Arica and Parinacota and Los Lagos.

 

Valparaíso, November 15, 2023 – WOM reached an important milestone in its Social Connectivity Plan. Two months after launching its ‘Connected Schools’ program, an initiative developed to provide free internet to educational establishments, mainly located in isolated and rural areas, it managed to connect 101 schools and more than 42,600 students benefited between the regions of Arica and Parinacota and Los Lagos.

The company recently held the closing event of this project, and visited the Las Palmas school in the Llay Llay commune, in the Valparaíso region, where, together with Desafío Levantemos Chile, equipment and connectivity were delivered to distribute and provide free internet to 8 rural and urban schools.

“It is very important that we give children access to the digital society, that is what connectivity is all about. This has been possible thanks to an important investment in infrastructure for the most remote places in Chile with little or no access to our service. I hope it can inspire teachers and children to take advantage of all the opportunities that the Internet brings,” said Chris Bannister, CEO of WOM.

Regarding the closing of the program, the company detailed that around 170 mobile broadband devices and more than 14,600 SIM Cards were delivered to rural and urban schools in remote communities such as Florida, Cañete, Cabildo, Chillán, Navidad, La Estrella, Pumanque, among others.

“For us it is very important to have Internet connectivity, especially in this area where we have many difficulties with communications. This will undoubtedly benefit all our children and students and will allow us to connect with new technologies and advances in this area”, said Héctor Rauld, principal of Las Palmas school.

It is worth noting that this program is aligned with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 on quality education, which refers to ensuring inclusive, equitable and quality education and promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all.

In addition, in its efforts to level the digital playing field in Chile, WOM launched a new version of the “Comunidad Conectada” program that will deliver 100,000 sim cards to municipalities, foundations, civil society organizations or educational institutions, with the purpose of supporting students, families and communities with free internet access, a benefit that will be extended for 5 months. To access the program, please visit the website www.wom.cl/comunidadconectada and complete the application form for a maximum of 600 chips.