Castilla y León, with an area of almost 95,000 square kilometers and 2,248 municipalities, is the largest region in Europe. However, less than 3% of its municipalities have more than 5,000 inhabitants and barely 1% have more than 20,000. This demographic fragmentation poses a considerable challenge in terms of digitization, especially at a time when connectivity and access to digital services are key to curbing depopulation.
Castilla y León accelerates rural digitalization with connectivity, citizen training and smart services
During his speech at the meeting ” Digitalization and Demographic Challenge“as part of the special recording of the podcast ” Connecting the RURAL to the world” Asteo Red Neutra at the Aotec25 Technology Fair, Luis Enrique Ortega Arnaiz, deputy minister for Digital Transformation of the Junta de Castila y Leóntogether with the journalist Pilar Bernat and Pedro Abad, CEO of the neutral wholesale operator, highlighted the importance of connectivity for rural areas to continue advancing and fulfill the Spanish Government’s commitment to achieve 100% broadband coverage by the end of 2025.
Public-private cooperation and deployment of fiber optic networks in rural areas
Pedro Abad, CEO of Asteo Red Neutra, stressed that the deployment of digital infrastructures in these territories entails multiple technical and administrative challenges. “What lies ahead of us requires a supreme effort from all the private and public entities involved,” he said. The company has already deployed a backbone network of more than 2,400 kilometers of fiber optics, connecting rural areas in provinces such as Burgos, Salamanca and Segovia.
“Thanks to this large trunk line, it allows us to provide the same service in municipality A as in municipality Z in the sequence,” Abad explained. Although these 50,000 inhabitants are spread over 200 municipalities, Asteo treats them “as if they were one big city”, from a technical point of view.
The difficulties go beyond geography. “In order to cross a river we need to undertake a series of permits with different agencies that together weigh down the execution of the project in terms of time,” said Abad, insisting that what is needed is greater administrative agility.
From the Junta de Castilla y León, public-private collaboration is seen as fundamental. “We understand that the progress of the community has to go hand in hand with business,” said Ortega. As an example, he mentioned the Telecommunications RoundtableAs an example, he mentioned the Mesa de las Telecomunicaciones, “a meeting forum in which companies from the technology sector, administrations and universities participate, where, among other things, the problems arising in fiber optic deployments are dealt with”.
Digital training to bridge the technology gap in rural areas
One of the pillars of Castilla y León’s digital strategy is the CyL Digital program, in operation since 2009. “Two objectives were set: to reduce the digital divide and advance in digital literacy,” recalled the deputy minister. The program offers courses and advice in nine digital spaces, one for each province, and in 326 associated rural centers. “At the beginning of the legislature we had 73, and three and a half years later we have multiplied almost fivefold,” he stressed.
For the most isolated areas, the Board has deployed mobile classrooms equipped with computers and itinerant trainers. “We have 62 teachers who teach both online and face-to-face,” Ortega explained. The subjects range from initiation to the Internet to generative artificial intelligence, including the use of digital certificates, access to online healthcare, digital banking and administrative procedures.
“The regional administration of Castilla y León has more than 1,500 procedures that can be carried out telematically,” said Ortega, stressing the importance of this capacity to improve the quality of life in rural areas.
IoT and data for efficient rural utility management
Another outstanding initiative is the Intelligent Rural Territory program, which seeks to digitize the management of municipal and regional public services through IoT (Internet of Things) sensors. “We are talking about services such as water quality control, organic waste management or public lighting among others,” explained the deputy minister. Currently, there are 3,500 active sensors distributed in more than 400 municipalities, installed through the agreement signed with the 9 Provincial Councils.
To facilitate this transformation, the Board has created the Smart Rural Office, which provides technical support to municipalities in project development and data integration. “We are also continuing our research to incorporate predictive artificial intelligence algorithms,” said Ortega, which will make it possible to optimize public services and adapt transportation to real demand.
Free transportation to curb rural depopulation
Precisely, public transport is another of the big bets of the regional government. “Our president, Alfonso Fernández Mañueco, has announced that regular public transport managed by Castilla y León will be free for all citizens registered in the community,” said the deputy minister. This measure, in addition to improving mobility, is intended to be an incentive to fix population. “It is an encouraging measure for all those who want to start their lives in rural areas”, he assured.
Subsidies to companies to promote local digitalization
Finally, Ortega highlighted the aid for business digitalization as an instrument to boost the local economy. “Aids are implemented to support the digitization of existing companies and also for projects for the creation of new companies,” he explained. These subsidies, prioritized for rural areas, cover up to 40% of the costs, with a ceiling of 150,000 euros.
With a combination of infrastructure, digital training, smart services and institutional collaboration, Castilla y León is drawing a clear roadmap towards a connected, inclusive and sustainable future in rural areas. As Ortega pointed out, “we continue working to achieve greater territorial cohesion and to ensure that rural citizens also advance in digital skills“, an essential step to build opportunities where before there was only isolation.
