The Regional Government of the Azores, through the Regional Secretariat for Science, Technology and Infrastructures, will move ahead with another project that aims to bring the new information and communication technologies closer to local citizens, locals and visitors.

Fulfilling another goal towards the implementation of the Digital Agenda 20/20, José Contente signed on Monday morning the contract for the acquisition and installation of five interactive panels to be place at the airports of the cohesion islands.

At the contract signing ceremony, the Regional Secretary for Science, Technology and Infrastructures integrated this initiative in the public investment which has managed to place the Region in third place nationwide regarding the number of personal computers, broadband use and internet access.

“We have undertaken a major effort in the Azores and we have reached over fifty percent in these indicators, thus we are the third best positioned region at a national level,” José Contente underlined, adding that these indicators demonstrate and prove the Region’s capacity for the use of information and communication technologies (ICT).

However, the Regional Secretary took the opportunity to challenge the business sector to introduce information and communication technologies as an asset to enhance the competitiveness and modernisation of the sector in the Azores. He also stressed that “in a business context it is fundamental that businesspeople seize the benefits of integrating technology in their activities.”

In this context, José Contente reminded that the Regional Government provided in 2010 free Wi-Fi access in the public places of cohesion island and at the Terceira airport. “On these islands, citizens have free access to wireless internet through the installation of 12 access points.”

After completing the first stage of the project, the Regional Secretary for Science, Technology and Infrastructures will now move ahead with the second stage which includes the installation of interactive panels at the airports of the cohesion islands, providing information not only for residents, but also for visitors.
 
In 2010, the Regional Secretariat also started the project to develop the scientific and technological contents to be displayed in the panels, which will also disseminate the Science Route of the Azores.
 
Moreover, the information to be displayed on the panels also includes contents related to each island, with relevant aspects in terms of scientific dissemination, such as geology, climate, fauna and flora, environmental areas, protected areas, Science Centres and ICT Spaces.

“The panels will bring citizens, local and tourists closer to detailed and interactive information, being a true source of information for all those who wish to become better acquainted with our islands in a different perspective,” stated the Regional Secretary.

The acquisition and installation of the application for content management of the panels and the respective maintenance were awarded to the company Edigma.com, representing a 90,000 Euro investment.