Luciana Santos, the Minister of Science, Technology and Innovation in Brazil, was in Rio Branco to deliver the Centelha III Program and announce funding for the Mais Ciência na Escola Program. During this visit on Tuesday, she also introduced the Infovia, a high-capacity fiber optic infrastructure designed to interconnect educational institutions, research facilities, healthcare providers, and public agencies across Acre. This initiative is expected to enhance data sharing and speed up communication in various sectors.

Santos emphasized the profound benefits of the Infovia, highlighting how it would facilitate telemedicine services, hybrid education, and accelerated research and development activities. The deployment of 1,300 kilometers of fiber optics across nine municipalities in Acre is a significant investment that aims to transform the quality of life for residents by providing better access to essential services. The minister noted that this infrastructure is a step forward in modernizing the region's communication capabilities.

Looking ahead, the next phase of the Infovia plans to extend connectivity beyond Acre, with a proposed link to Peru. The government is allocating R$ 4.5 million for this expansion, which underscores the commitment to enhancing regional connectivity. This initiative not only looks to support local development but also to foster cross-border collaboration and resource sharing between Brazil and its neighboring country, thereby contributing to broader regional integration efforts.