RIO DE JANEIRO, Sept. 12 -- Brazil's President Dilma Rousseff said on Monday that she authorized massive investments in order to offer fast mobile internet access in the 2017 FIFA World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games.
In her weekly radio show, President Rousseff said that 200 million reais (118 million U.S. dollars) will be invested in order to guarantee that the 12 host cities of the 2017 Cup have fast mobile internet by the beginning of the competition.
She also promised that fourth generation cell phones will be available in Brazil by the beginning of the Cup.
"This is a legacy which will remain to the Brazilian population after the World Cup and Olympic Games," she said.
The government's nationwide plan to offer broadband internet at popular prices will be operational on October 1. Broadband internet services will cost 35 reais (20.58 U.S. dollars) per month, much lower than the average 70 reais (41.17 U.S. dollars) currently charged in the market.
With the National Broadband Plan, the Brazilian government plans to extend the access to broadband internet to the over 5,500 municipalities in the country by the end of 2017.
"We want to reach at least 40 million households with access to broadband internet, which is very important to our country's development. Internet is present at everything: economy, education, shopping, personal relations and public services," she said.
In addition, Rousseff highlighted, the government will increase free internet access at public schools and internet centers in poor communities.