Today the draft document of the Artificial Intelligence Strategy for the Balearic Islands was presented on Formentera. Ramon Roca, general director of modernisation and digital administration for the Balearic Government, and Bartomeu Alorda, director of innovation and knowledge transfer at the University of the Balearic Islands, presented the plan to representatives of local businesses and members of Formentera's tourism sector (Association of Small and Medium-sized Businesses [Pimef], Chamber of Commerce and Hotel Association).

Vanessa Parellada, new technologies councillor, thanked Roca and Alorda for coming to Formentera "to explain the importance of artificial intelligence not only for companies, but also for the educational and social sector, particularly considering the changes that are quickly sweeping this area and the help that this type of intelligence can mean for people and businesses".

In the words of Mr Roca, "defining the Strategic Plan for AI in the Balearic Islands will integrate and transform the educational, productive, innovative and social ecosystem". The gathering allowed the presenters to hear input from Formentera's productive fabric on defining the IA strategy in the Balearics.

13 March 2023
Office of Communication
Consell de Formentera

The Formentera Office of New Technologies is pleased to report that the main telephone and mobile data providers have been asked to improve coverage and address communications problems on the island.

Vanessa Parellada, councillor of new technologies, and department chiefs, met with Ramon Roca, regional director general of modernisation and digital administration, and representatives of the main telephone and data providers (Telefónica, Orange and Vodafone). Also on hand for the meeting was Antoni Font, of the Telecommunications User Service Office of the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation.

The meeting was convened by Mr Roca at the request of Councillor Parellada, who explained the objective as "once again denouncing the communications problems that islanders face, and pooling possible solutions with representatives of the main service providers".

"Beyond historical 'dark zones' and summertime service issues, in recent months sectoral communities like taxi drivers and regular islanders have highlighted additional issues. Numerous incidents generating economic losses have been reported by companies and freelancers, many of whom work from home. "But this also affects people on a personal level", Parellada added.

Mr Font urged providers to carry out not only reactive but also preventive maintenance of infrastructure. For their part, provider representatives asked for more details on coverage issues affecting residents. To this end, islanders are asked to report any voice or data incidents to their telecommunications company and the Telecommunications User Service Office (usuariosteleco.mineco.gob.es).

The Formentera Office of New Technologies has agreed to collect the data requested by the telecom companies, and asked them to conduct an exhaustive review of existing infrastructure to assess and improve it if necessary. All those present agreed to follow up on the agreements reached.

24 November 2022
Communications Office
Consell de Formentera

The Department of New Technologies of the Consell de Formentera announces that with the recent completion of work in es Ca Marí, ses Bardetes and part of es Cap de Barbaria, fibre-optic connection is now a reality in every urban centre on the island.

Cosponsored by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), installation of the fibre-optic grid began in 2017, overseen by Telefónica, Teleco and the Consell de Formentera.

In April 2018, Sant Francesc became the first town on the grid; es Pujols, sa Roqueta, the industrial park, Sant Ferran, la Savina, the hospital and its immediate vicinity, es Caló, la Mola, es Ca Marí, ses Bardetes and part of es Cap de Barbaria followed in its wake, with various additional connections near urban areas.

The effort was devised, in part, to bury cabling that had previously been strung overhead.

According to new technologies councillor Vanessa Parellada, the upgrades “bring Formentera up to pace with other territories in Spain”. “Islanders in urban areas, as well as most businesses, now have a fibre-optic connection”, she said. “Next year the plan is to continue expanding to the Formentera's more remote corners.” Parellada pointed out that islanders interested in connecting to the grid should contact telephone service providers.

The second phase of the plan starts in 2020 and will see more far-flung areas of Formentera gaining access to the same grid. The removal of copper cables is also in the works.

6 September 2019
Department of Communication
Consell de Formentera

The Formentera Council's new technologies department reports that this May, for the first time since the launch of the Virtual Citizen's Information Office (OVAC), more general business has been conducted online than in person, at the Citizen's Information Office (OAC).

From 1 to 31 May, 362 administrative formalities were completed on the OVAC compared to 342 in person at the OAC—“proof”, asserted acting department head Rafael González, “that the surge of online formalities is still going on”. “We've seen it before in many areas”, said González, “people got more used to taking care of certain official business online than in person”.

One of the most popular requests—metred parking pass renewals—has long been more common online than in person. Whereas 198 were completed at the OAC, 454 were done on the OVAC website.

González added that “the Office of New Technologies will continue working to improve the OVAC and increase the total number of formalities processed online—making such business more accessible and more efficient and sparing all of us trips, time and paper”.

5 June 2019
Office of Communication
Formentera Council