Lithuania, Technology, Transport

The goal of the project RAIN is to provide the newest possibilities of communication, learning, improvement by implementing the strategy of Lithuanian broadband communication strategy. The project contributes to solving the issue of the digital divide between cities ad rural areas, which encouraged the development of knowledge and information society in the entire country, informs LETA.

Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas was at the Governmental palace during the event and communicated with the participants of the solemn ceremony at Vilkaviskis Municipality via the RAIN network and video link.

The prime minister congratulated the participants of the ceremony on the occasion of the successful implementation of the project "Broadband Network RAIN of Information Technologies of Rural Areas". The head of the Government highlighted that it will be great support for the residents of all regions. Information technologies will improve the quality of life, increase awareness and prompt acquiring more knowledge.

According to Prime Minister Kirkilas, it is necessary to expand the infrastructure of broadband communications from the centres of districts to other rural territories of the country. The continuation of the project should receive as much funding from the state budget and energy of the people as it will require.

The project was being implemented in 2005-2008. It was financed by the European Union and the state budget and cost 75 million litas (21.835 million euros). 3,357 kilometers of light-guide cable lines were stretched, 509 RAIN network nodes were established, which linked 467 rural elderships with 51 municipalities, 330 schools were connected to the light-guide facilities. The RAIN network joins over 300,000 residents of the rural areas in Lithuania.