OFF THE CUFF: Panama the regions smart city?

OFF THE CUFF: Panama the regions “smart” city?
WHEN former President Ricardo Martinelli was not busy attacking local media he would tell foreign journalists that Panama’s development mirrored Singapore, but, even allowing for a little euphoric hype over the construction of the subway, he was short on at least one major detail – interconnectivity. But things may be on the cusp of change.

An underground fiber optic network would make the capital city 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’.”.
For anyone facing the daily frustrations of slow downloading and daily service glitches, the step into the future will be welcome Whether it will include acceleration of service from the likes of C&W is another question.