The Ministry of Education revealed the proposals for internet services in 3,102 schools nationwide. Más Móvil submitted the lowest bid, at US$44.7 million, while the Ufinet Para Las Escuelas consortium proposed US$54.2 million. Both bids are below the reference price of US$59.3 million set by Meduca. According to the terms of the tender, the awarded company will have 240 days for implementation and 1,825 days for service provision, including technical support. The goal is for the service to be available outside school hours in rural communities.
Meduca plans to install fiber optics (1,024 Mbps) where possible, and microwave (100 Mbps) or satellite (40-200 Mbps) in the remaining schools. Currently, 1,792 schools have fiber optics, and 319 are connected by satellite and microwave. Education Minister Lucy Molinar highlighted the significant savings: "What was going to cost us US$1.536 billion will now cost us US$44 million." Additionally, photovoltaic systems will be installed in 991 educational centers to supply power to the communication equipment. The tender, initially planned through the Meduca Compra portal, was eventually published on Panamá Compra.