Lula's plan to expand internet access in Amazon region takes shape

• He said having internet access will help get health clinics online and increase the reach of telehealth to communities otherwise too remote to reach.
• According to Brazil's Communication Ministry, using the rivers for the optic cables will also avoid having to cut down trees to install wires.

The big picture: The project was unveiled Monday, just before leaders from eight nations that border the Amazon rainforest are scheduled to meet for a summit.

• The summit will be the first time since 2009 that the leaders of Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela meet specifically to talk about Amazon conservation.
• The leaders are expected to discuss deforestation, illegal mining and threats against Indigenous communities.
• Lula said he plans to pitch extending the internet cables through the other countries' parts of the rainforest.

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