Uruguay supports the implementation of telemedicine systems

Uruguay is the first country in Latin America to implement the LTE network (4G) and promote the project taking optic fiber to homes, with a 25 percent coverage in less than one year. The penetration indices in all telecommunication services are high and accesible, with a high degree of technical advancement and connectivity. 

These circumstances have promoted the existence of one of the highest volumes of internet users in the region, with an intense use of social networks and commercial transactions through e-commerce.

The publication "Hacia la Digitalización de América Latina: las infraestructuras y los servicios TIC en la región" (Toward the Digitalization of Latin America: Infrastructures and ICT Services in the Region), prepared by CAF, points out that the development of on-line government is one of the highest in the region. Another advantage that is highlighted is the political stability and legal safety that impacts on the growth of the economies. However, it does not have the local infrastructures for Internet (IXP) compared with other countries of its development level, which would allow it to reduce the exit of data traffic abroad.

Between 2011-2015, the public policies for the development of ICTs in Uruguay is through the digital agenda will enable:  

• Expansion of fiber (FTTH) to homes and strategic points, and connectivity of SMEs. 
• Development of advanced e-government and e-commerce. 
• Establishment of telemedicine and e-health systems.