North Connected

The Norte Conectado (North Connected) Program aims to expand communications infrastructure in the Amazon region by implementing underwater fiber optic cables, with a view to meeting public policies in telecommunications, education, research, health, defense and the judiciary. It will also provide for other public policies that may become part of the Program's scope. In addition, the goal is to expand internet access in the region, with the possibility of integrating with neighboring countries that make up the Pan-Amazon region.

Implementation will be based on fiber optic cable telecommunications infrastructure. The structure is launched in an underwater environment and will initially connect Macapá to Tabatinga, passing through Manaus, branching out to Almeirim, Santarém, Alenquer, Breves, Belém, Porto Velho, Boa Vista, Rio Branco, Cruzeiro do Sul, São Gabriel da Cachoeira, Parintins, French Guiana and Peru.

The infrastructure in question will be based on the beds of the Amazon region rivers (Amazon, Negro, Solimões, Madeira, Purus, Juruá and Rio Branco). The total cover to be provided will reach over 12 thousand km by the end of 2025, connecting 58 municipalities in the states of Roraima, Rondônia, Pará, Amazonas, Amapá and Acre. The estimate is that it will service approximately 10 million inhabitants.

1st PHASE

By the end of the first half of 2022, the 1st phase of the program plans to connect Macapá (AP) to Alenquer (PA), through 770 km of fiber optic cables, passing through the Amazon River bed in the towns of Almeirim, Monte Alegre and Santarém, all in the Pará state, with around BRL 90 million in investment. Most of the resources come from the Ministry of Communications (MCom). There are transfers from the ministries of Education (MEC) and of Science, Technology and Innovation (MCTI), as well as the National Council of Justice (CNJ), and from an amended bill from the Federal Senate's Science and Technology Commission.

2nd PHASE

Implementing the stretches connecting the cities of Santarém (PA) and Manaus (AM) corresponds to the 2nd phase. This phase will be funded by resources from the digitizing of TVs: around R$ 165 million.

3rd PHASE

The other info highways have an estimated cost of BRL 1.34 billion, invested as a matching action in relation to the 5G bidding process winners. If the total amount of BRL 1.34 billion is not used, the money will be allocated to other connectivity actions, as it will not be returned to the companies.

The Norte Conectado Program has the aim of meeting the communication demand, including the increase of internet access, security and redundancy of existing terrestrial networks in the region. The high-capacity infrastructure, with high reliability and availability, must provide the opportunity for data traffic flow from public education, health and security institutions, as well as courts of the municipal, state and federal executive branches, in addition to telecommunications operators and local broadband internet carriers.

TECHNICAL UNIT RESPONSIBLE

Department of Infrastructure Projects
(61) 2027.6090

RESULTS ACHIEVED

Metropolitan networks and the trunk cable for Info Highway 00 are already being implemented, with completion expected in the first half of 2022. Hydrographic studies for the implementation of Info Highway 01 have been started and at this stage of the project, its conclusion is expected in the first quarter of 2023. The other info highways to be implemented with resources from the 5G bidding process are expected to be completed in 2025.

ABOUT FAT

The initiative does not receive funding from the Worker's Support Fund (FAT).

REVENUE WAIVER

The action does not result in the waiver of revenues.