Online Event: Connectivity in the Americas

As countries of Latin America and the Caribbean begin the daunting vaccination process for the coronavirus, concerns over long-lasting repercussions of the deadly pandemic on societies in the region continue to grow. At the core of many of these problems is the digital divide, with millions of people lacking access to technologies that would otherwise provide for educational opportunities, government services, jobs and other necessities. “Connecting the unconnected” to the digital economy, for decades a goal of policymakers, has taken on even more urgency. Nevertheless, equitable access to digital infrastructure in Latin America and the Caribbean remains a major challenge.

The Inter-American Dialogue is pleased to host a panel of experts to discuss these questions, among others:

• What is the state of connectivity in the Americas today, and what needs to happen in the near- and longer-term in order to achieve more comprehensive and equitable digital connectivity?
• What obstacles have been standing in the way of a more comprehensive digital infrastructure in the region?
• What unanticipated shortcomings in the region’s digital infrastructure has the coronavirus pandemic revealed?
• What new technologies and business models hold the most promise to address these gaps, and how can governments support them?
• How can regulators and the private sector ensure the region’s economic recovery provides more equitable access to the digital economy?

Join us for a panel on March 4 featuring Chilean regulator Pamela Gidi, Ryan Johnson of Viasat, SBA’s Ricardo Ruiz, and Nathalia Foditsch of the Alliance for Affordable Internet to consider the challenges to, and necessity of, improving connectivity in the region. 

WATCH THE EVENT HERE: 

SPEAKERS:

PAMELA GIDI

‎Undersecretary of Telecommunications, Government of Chile (@pamgidi)

RYAN JOHNSON

Senior Director, Global Market Access & Government Affairs Lead for Latin America, ‎Viasat Inc. (@Neo_Globe)

RICARDO RUIZ

Vice President, International Operations, SBA Communications 

NATHALIA FODITSCH

Senior Policy and Regulatory Specialist, Alliance for Affordable Internet (@Foditsch)

MODERATOR:

MICHAEL SHIFTER

President, Inter-American Dialogue (@MichaelShifter)