A proposal to develop an underground fiber optic network aims to differentiate the Panamanian capital from the rest of the region, making it a smart city.

An underground fiber optic network would make the capital city of Panama stand apart from the rest of Central America in terms of access to technology, efficiency and attraction of foreign investment, because of what that means in terms of interconnectivity for businesses and the economic growth of the country.

Capital.com.pa reports that although the process to develop the plan and create the necessary legislation is still in its early stages, “… with the commitment of the authorities work will be able to continue to take the country to the next level.”

According to the general manager of the National Authority for Government Innovation (AIG), Irvin Halman, underground fiber optics will allow the capital to become a smart city, because it will provide interoperability and interconnection between different agencies or entities. Similarly, it was also indicated that the Mobile Government Plan, has now been presented to operators and private sector unions. “We are working together with the Municipality of Panama, the National Police, the Tourism Authority of Panama (ATP), and others in matters to do with interoperability of systems in order to achieve these goals’.”