UPDATE ON PERU'S DIGITAL FREEDOM INITIATIVE

UNCLAS LIMA 002568 SIPDIS 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. STRUBLE