Internet infrastructure transforms businesses and expands digital access after COP30 in Pará
The 40 new 4G and 5G antenna points installed in the capital are among the technological investments made for the environmental conference
With the expansion of 40 new 4G and 5G antenna points installed in Belém, the faster and more accessible connection transforms businesses, expands access to digital education, and reduces technological inequalities in Pará. Investments from the government of Pará, through the Pará Information and Communication Technology Company (Prodepa), represent one of the technological legacies of the 30th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP30), which took place in November 2025 in the capital of Pará.
Regarding the State network, to ensure the connectivity necessary for the largest climate event on the planet, Prodepa carried out a broad process of modernization and expansion of the State Telecommunications Network. Among the priority actions, the implementation of the COP ring stood out, interconnecting new presence points and operating at 100 Gbps, the renewal and acquisition of high-performance equipment, in addition to the expansion of infrastructure to directly serve strategic points of the conference, such as the Parque da Cidade – responsible for the Data Centers and backup of the event, the Porto Futuro, and the Estação das Docas. This modernization allowed the delivery of critical mission broadband during COP30, strengthening the State government's network and leaving a permanent legacy of high-performance connectivity.
Expansion - Prodepa also provided connectivity to the two cruise ships that served as accommodation for conference participants, thereby increasing the network to the Outeiro district. “There are countless benefits resulting from the expansion of connectivity for the State's population. Initially, it allows more people to access higher quality information and public services. From an economic perspective, it facilitates the growth of technology-based enterprises, the development of projects, attracts investments, and encourages innovation, creating jobs and increasing the competitiveness of the local economy,” highlights Prodepa's president, Carlos Maneschy.
Production engineer and manager of a restaurant on the island of Murutucu, Edna Torres, 63, says that the connection has even facilitated the daily work in the space, located on the banks of the Guamá River. “This investment helps a lot, especially for people who cannot maintain the internet all month. I thought that during COP30 we would have connection problems, but it was the opposite; we worked super well. The connection on the islands is much better than before, without many fluctuations, so we were able to work with the payment machines without problems,” she says.
Partnership - The work is the result of a partnership with the telecommunications operators TIM, Vivo, and Claro, which operate in a coordinated manner to expand mobile coverage and ensure high-speed connectivity. The operators, supervised by the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel), are directly responsible for 5G services, and Prodepa plays a fundamental role in providing technical and institutional support for expansion projects in areas of the State government, acting as a focal point for receiving projects and licensing.
An example is the parking lot of the Olympic Stadium of Pará (Mangueirão), which hosts shows and large celebrations with an audience of over 100,000 people. The new equipment was designed to ensure stable and high-capacity connectivity, benefiting both those who frequent the space and the surrounding residents. “I went to the Global Citizen at Mangueirão, I was able to send messages without difficulties, post on social media, and enjoyed the show of all the artists a lot,” highlights Anna Karolina Moitinho, an occupational therapy student.
Decentralization - Currently, 100 of the 144 municipalities in the state (69.4%) are already connected to the State Data Telecommunications Network. The expansion to remote and riverside areas is made possible by optical infoways projects (fiber cables that interconnect municipalities), metropolitan networks (last mile within municipalities), and hotzones (free Wi-Fi network) in squares, waterfronts, and public spaces.
Doctor Andreza Souza, 26, felt the change when visiting a restaurant in the Igarapé do Piriquitaquara community on the Island of Combu. “I have always frequented the place and it was very difficult to have internet, and now, with these new points, it has improved a lot. My goal when going to Combu is to disconnect, enjoy the moment, take a river bath, and relax, but in case of an emergency, and especially for those who live on the island, having access makes all the difference,” she concludes.
