Jalisco, Mexico - Governor Aristoteles Sandoval has announced that he intends to expand internet access from 42 percent to 70 percent of the Jalisco population during his six-year term in office. He also promised to provide free Wi-Fi access in the main plazas of all 125 municipalities in the state by the end of the year.

"Every corner of the state will have its own window to the world. Today we move toward a digital, connected Jalisco that will build its future around technology," Sandoval said, noting that Mexico is currently ranked 33rd out of the top 34 nations for broadband internet access by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Jalisco is ranked eighth in Mexico in terms of connectivity, but there is a sharp contrast between internet access in urban and rural areas of the state.

Upon announcing a bill aimed at cutting that divide, Sandoval said that all citizens of Jalisco should be able to "recognize internet access as a human right." The European state of Finland has set the precedent for internet as a human right by passing legislation guaranteeing all citizens the right to connect and requiring telecommunications companies to provide connection speeds of at least 100 megabytes by 2015.

"The United Nations says governments must strive to ensure the internet is widely available, accessible, and affordable for all. Ensuring universal access to the Internet should be a priority for all states," Sandoval added.