Who Is Eligible for Free Internet in Bogotá?

The Mayor’s Office of Bogotá has expanded its digital inclusion efforts through the Conexión Social, Bogotá me conecta program, an initiative designed to provide free fixed internet access to the city’s most vulnerable households. This project aims to close the digital divide by integrating low-income families into the city’s digital infrastructure.

The program is implemented by the Mayor’s Office of Bogotá through the Secretaría Distrital de Integración Social (SDIS) in a strategic alliance with ETB, the Empresa de Telecomunicaciones de Bogotá. As of February 19, 2026, 23,000 vulnerable households have already been connected to the service.

Technical Specifications and Service Capacity

The connectivity provided under Conexión Social utilizes fiber optic technology, ensuring a more stable and high-speed connection compared to traditional copper lines. The service provides a speed of 25 Mbps and is available 24 hours a day.

To accommodate the needs of modern households, the infrastructure is designed to support the simultaneous connection of up to 15 devices per home. Beyond basic connectivity, the service includes integrated cybersecurity tools and parental control features to protect children and young people within the home.

Eligibility and Requirements

Access to the free internet subsidy is restricted to specific demographics to ensure that resources reach those with the greatest financial need. The primary requirements for beneficiaries include:

• Residence in Bogotá.
• Belonging to socioeconomic strata 1 or 2.
• Classification within the Sisbén levels ranging from A1 to C9.

The program specifically targets households that lack the monetary resources necessary to afford a private internet subscription, treating connectivity as a basic necessity rather than a luxury.

Strategic Focus and Social Impact

In its current phase, the program has placed a special emphasis on the youth population. The city administration recognizes the central role of young people in the social and economic development of Bogotá, viewing internet access as a critical tool for their growth and opportunity.

The scale of the initiative has grown over time. While official reports from February 19, 2026, highlight 23,000 connected households, other reports indicate that the program has reached more than 30,000 households across the city, including specific deployments in localities such as San Cristóbal.

The Role of ETB in Urban Connectivity

ETB serves as the technological partner for this initiative, leveraging its public technology infrastructure to facilitate the rollout of fiber optics. This collaboration allows the city to utilize existing telecommunications frameworks to achieve social goals of digital integration.

This effort is part of a broader trend in Colombia to address the digital gap. By providing a state-sponsored fixed internet service, the Bogotá administration seeks to ensure that socioeconomic status does not prevent citizens from accessing the digital economy, education, and essential communications.