INDEPENDENT NEWS

Cablegate: Update On Peru's Digital Freedom Initiative

Published: Wed 28 Jun 2006 02:29 PM
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ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 281429Z JUN 06
FM AMEMBASSY LIMA
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INFO RUEHBO/AMEMBASSY BOGOTA 3619
RUEHQT/AMEMBASSY QUITO 0509
RUEHLP/AMEMBASSY LA PAZ JUN SANTIAGO 0704
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SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR WHA/AND, WHA/EPSC, EB/CIP - TCARNEGIE/WAYALA
COMMERCE FOR 4331/MAC/WH/MCAMERON
COMMERCE FOR OFFICE OF TECHNOLOGY/KFERGUESON
USTR FOR KSCHAGRIN/JMCHALE
FCC INTERNATIONAL BUREAU FOR ETALAGA
AID FOR BRENDA FISHER/NOREEN JANUS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: ECPS ETRD EINV ECON PE
SUBJECT: UPDATE ON PERU'S DIGITAL FREEDOM INITIATIVE
REF: A) LIMA 2217 B) LIMA 1587 C) LIMA 1158
1. (SBU) Summary. We remain committed to promoting the Digital
Freedom Initiative in Peru. The DFI Working Group, which includes
members of the GOP, Embassy and private sector, is currently
reviewing several project proposals, including one to improve
women's health by improving communications in rural health posts.
We are making progress on the bilingual DFI Peru webpage, which
should be completed by August. The DFI Working Group has requested
that the APRA transition team provide us with a contact on
information technology issues; once the point person is established,
the Working Group will meet to discuss the DFI and determine how it
fits into the new government's plans for rural development. End
Summary.
Establishing a DFI Peru Webpage
-------------------------------
2. (SBU) The DFI Working Group, with consists of nine officials
from the Embassy, GOP and the General Managers of Voxiva Peru,
Motorola, Hewlett Packard, Cisco and Intel, met on June 27 to
discuss ongoing DFI programs, next steps and how to work with the
APRA transition team. Guillermo Delgado, General Manager of Voxiva,
updated the group on the webpage process, noting that he is working
with local webmaster IguanaHost to create the page. Using the
www.dfi.gov webpage as a model, the page will include information on
current projects in Peru - both DFI projects and other information
technology projects conducted by American companies, contact
information, and links to key websites. The page will also include
a description of how the DFI works in Peru, with an explanation of
the DFI Working Group and thematic groups function.
3. (SBU) The website will be in both English and Spanish, with the
Ministry of Communications and the Embassy to assist with the
English translation. The cost of the website will be approximately
$50/month, to be paid for by the DFI Working Group members. We
expect that the DFI website will be functioning by August.
DFI Activities
--------------
4. (SBU) The E-Commerce/E-Government group is planning to work
with officials at the municipal level to promote the use of the
Internet. Through the use of digital video-conferences (DVCs),
speakers, including the Mayor of Miraflores (a Lima municipality
that is the front runner on e-government issues), would explain to
municipal leaders in rural areas the importance of interconnection
via the Internet and how local governments can improve services by
offering them online. The E-Government group will work with the
Embassy to help coordinate this event. However, due to regional
elections in November, this program will likely be delayed until
December or January 2007.
5. (SBU) The Telecommunications and Convergence group presented
its program to the DFI Board on June 27. Building on the
telecommunications infrastructure created by the Microtelco in
Jauja, Junin (reftel C), the group explained the benefits of linking
small rural health posts to the telecommunications network. The
current network covers 10 districts, providing telephony and
internet services to previously underserved communities. Most
health posts do not have telephone access, making it difficult to
provide service to those who live in rural areas. By linking health
posts in 30 communities to this communications network, health
providers would be better able to respond to health emergencies in
rural areas and can provide improved health and prenatal care to
pregnant women.
6. (SBU) The cost of this turn-key program is estimated at
approximately $80,000. The GOP, through the Ministry of Health and
municipal funds, would be able to provide partial funding. The DFI
Working Group is currently reviewing the program to determine its
viability and will discuss how best to encourage U.S. and Peruvian
companies to donate services. (Note: We sent a Spanish-language
copy of the proposal to EB/CIP and AID for comments on June 28. End
Note.)
Working with the Next Government
--------------------------------
7. (SBU) The DFI Working Group recognizes the need to coordinate
with the new Administration to ensure that we do not lose momentum.
The incoming Garcia Administration has announced its transition
team; we have requested a point of contact on information and
telecommunications issues. Once APRA provides us with the
information, the Working Group will send a letter explaining the
DFI and requesting a meeting with the transition team. Members of
the DFI Working Group will then meet with the information and
technology team to discuss future DFI plans. Current GOP officials
are confident that the incoming Garcia Administration will support
the DFI, as it seeks to improve connections throughout Peru and
provides small and micro-businesses with opportunities for economic
growth.
Comment
-------
8. (SBU) The expansion and use of telecommunications services will
foster economic and social development in the rural areas of Peru, a
key priority of the incoming Garcia Administration. In the next
month, we will meet with members of the APRA transition team to
explain the program and match priorities. We expect that the Garcia
Administration will support our DFI programs, although we are unsure
what role the government will play in our DFI Working Group.
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