The Telefónica Foundation has been honored with the Award Impulso de la Digitalización y Desarrollo del Medio Rural (Promoting Digitalization and Rural Development), granted by the Official College of Agricultural Technical Engineers of the Center. This recognition highlights the Foundation’s work in connecting and digitally transforming rural areas of Spain.

A Transformative Impact on Rural Territory

The award recognizes the Telefónica Foundation’s efforts to bring cutting-edge connectivity to communities furthest from urban centers. Thanks to this work, **5G networks have been deployed in 214 villages**, connecting **more than 30,000 inhabitants** and transforming the lives of these rural communities.

This technological infrastructure has significantly improved connectivity and access to information, facilitating digital inclusion in traditionally isolated areas and reducing the digital divide between rural and urban environments.

Innovation and Training: The Pillars of Rural Development

Beyond connectivity, the Telefónica Foundation has established **rural innovation laboratories** that have promoted both digital training and the creation of agrotech startups. These spaces have become nerve centers where research and development of technologies specifically applied to the agricultural sector are promoted.

The laboratories have driven modernization and efficiency in rural practices, while the digital training offered has equipped inhabitants with skills in using new technologies. This training has fostered entrepreneurship and the creation of new economic opportunities in rural areas.

A Reference Model for the Future

According to the jury of the Official College of Agricultural Technical Engineers of the Center, “the Telefónica Foundation’s commitment to rural development has proven to be a model to follow, demonstrating how digitalization can be a powerful tool for progress and improving quality of life in rural communities.”

This award reinforces the Telefónica Foundation’s commitment to balanced territorial development and the democratization of access to digital technologies, contributing to creating a more connected and inclusive future for all inhabitants of Spanish territory.