United States Supports Increase of Internet Access
in Northern Montenegro
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Embassy of the United States of America
Podgorica
On Thursday September 18, U.S. Ambassador to Montenegro Roderick W. Moore will mark the launch of the USAID-funded Montenegro Connects wireless internet project, implemented by CHF International and local internet service provider MNNEWS at Panto Malisic High School in Berane. In May 2007, CHF contracted MNNEWS through a public tender to connect 100 schools, health clinics, public institutions, and NGOs in 12 municipalities to wireless internet service at a subsidized price of 20 Euro per month over initial 18 months.
USAID contributed $270,000 to the Montenegro Connects Initiative. The remaining $200,000 was contributed primarily through investments by MNNEWS, but also important in-kind contributions by the Ministry of Defense, the Radio Diffusion Center, Porto Montenegro, and Motorola Co.
The project aims to improve access to the internet for Montenegrin citizens and institutions especially in Northern municipalities. It also will help strengthening the country’s economic development and its further integration into the global economy.
Ambassador Moore, CHF Director Chris Brown, Danilo Cetkovic of MNNEWS, and Panto Malisic School Principal Sreten Lutovac will speak at the opening. Following this event, Ambassador Moore also will visit the computer lab at the School where the students will present how information technology is incorporated into their curriculum.
Media interested in covering this event should be at the Panto Malisic High School in Berane no later than 11:45, on Thursday September 18.
For more details on this event, please contact Sasa Brajovic from the Embassy at +382 67 28 35 42.
For more information on the U.S. Government’s programs in Montenegro, please visit the Embassy's web site at http://podgorica.usembassy.gov