Codetel, the leading Dominican telecom company, signed yesterday with President Hipólito Mejía and Minister of Education, Vice President Milagros Ortiz Bosch an agreement to create 90 virtual classrooms at public schools. Jorge Ivan Ramírez, recently arrived new president of Codetel, signed for the Verizon company. The idea is to reduce the digital divide between the haves and the havenots. Codetel says the program has a cost of RD$85 million. Each mobile modular units is equipped with 10 computers, furniture, a printer, its own source of power, a UPS, and air-conditioning unit. The virtual classrooms that are to be sent to remote communities will be fitted with satellite connections. Ramírez said that Codetel as a responsible corporate citizen is committed to participate as a true ally with the education plans, contributing ideas, technology, infrastructure and resources, seeking a multiplier effect in the different levels of education. The first virtual classroom program in the DR was set up during the past government of President Leonel Fernández with a contribution made by Tricom, the second largest telecom company in the DR.
