Free internet access coming to Brazil’s airports
Posted in Brazil Facts, Tips for Travelers on 03. Jul, 2011
Hi all,
there is a tendency among Americans to imagine that developing countries are completely backward. Actually, what you tend to find are greater extremes than you find in developed countries. There are many poor in Brazil, but in many ways the country is quite developed.
Brazilians love technology. An extremely high percentage of Brazilians have internet access – even in the favelas! (I tried to find a recent article about the percentages, but couldn’t locate it. If I find specific numbers, I’ll add them.)
Now Gleisi Hoffmann, of Brazil’s equivalent of the Department of the Interior, and Dilma Rousseff, Brazil’s president, are promising to provide free internet in Brazil’s principle airports by the end of this month. Currently wifi is available in GIG (Rio’s international airport), but on a pay basis.
My buddy Greg checks in with the office
Already free wifi access is available on Copacabana and Ipanema beaches, and in Botafogo Praia Shopping here in Rio.
Not that checking e-mails while you are supposed to be on vacation is necessarily a good thing, but its nice to know the option is available.
Até mais, guys
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Awesome!
The municipal library here in the center of Salvador still has no internet whatsoever, not a single machine, let alone wireless. Here’s hoping Dilma can cross the Brazilian digital divide sooner rather than later.
That’s really sad. While Brazil is making great strides, sometimes I think they are focusing heavily on their image rather than on what will benefit the common people. In this case, everyday people would benefit from computers and internet connections at the public library. But tourists will rarely go there. What tourists will notice is free WiFi at the airport. In another example, here in Rio the government is working steadily to “pacify” many of the favelas – which of course is a good thing, no question. But the cynic in me notes that the first favelas to receive attention are largely those in Zona Sul (where the wealthier residents and tourists stay) and those areas near Galeao, the international airport. Of course, you have to begin somewhere. Let’s just hope the progress continues to other areas. Thanks for commenting.