Claro Colombia has announced that it will invest more than $200 million to bolster its fiber optic network.

According to Claro, the investment will enable the carrier to prepare its infrastructure for the wider adoption of advanced technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI).

“With this investment, we are modernizing our network and creating the foundation on which artificial intelligence can be strengthened in Colombia,” said Rodrigo de Gusmao, President of Claro Colombia.

de Gusmao added that “the infrastructure we are developing is essential for vertical AI solutions – from telemedicine to industrial automation – to be deployed effectively, benefiting both companies and citizens.”

He noted that AI has the potential to increase Colombia's GDP by up to 10 percent over the next 15 years.

Claro said that the investment will enable data transmission at unprecedented speeds, which it explains is an essential requirement for AI applications that require the processing of large volumes of information in real time.

The telco added that its investment won't just be focused on urban areas of the country, but also more rural, harder-to-reach locations.

In July, Claro paired with vendor Nokia to launch the first phase of its 5G network.