Iniciative #14 – Territorial Cohesion through Digital Technologies

Rationale

Portugal must address the challenge of ensuring greater territorial cohesion through the effective use of digital tools, facilitating equitable access to digital technologies for all citizens and businesses, regardless of their location.

Portugal's Autonomous Regions and low-density territories experience limited accessibility to modern and connected digital infrastructure. As the country becomes increasingly dependent on digital infrastructure, the disparities in access to connectivity and technological infrastructure may become more pronounced.

This scenario calls for a strategic response to ensure the necessary infrastructure, as well as inclusive access to the internet and digital technologies.

Connectivity across the entire country is more than just a technical requirement; it is an essential pillar of social and economic cohesion, enabling all citizens and businesses to participate fully in the digital economy, regardless of their location.

Details

The promotion of a more solid integration of connectivity and computing infrastructure throughout the national territory and in connection with other countries.

Ensuring that all citizens and businesses, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status, have inclusive access to digital technologies. This will reduce inequalities and promote true territorial cohesion in digital access.

A key element of the initiative is the development of the new CAM Ring (ContinentalAzores-Madeira), a network of submarine cables linking the continental territory of Portugal to the Autonomous Regions of the Azores and Madeira. This initiative will utilise part of the capacity of the Ring to connect the advanced computing infrastructure of the mainland with the islands, creating a unified high-capacity network. This will enable companies, research centres, public bodies, and other entities in the autonomous regions to directly access the national advanced computing network, eliminating existing connectivity barriers.

Furthermore, the initiative will establish measures to promote access to digital technologies, including support for inclusive internet access and the mitigation of white zones, with a view to fostering territorial cohesion in the field of digital technologies.