During the last decade, technical advances fueled by the internet have transformed the world into a digital economy in which telecommunications networks and the services provided by them have leading roles. Specifically, due to the progress these networks have brought, a new Industrial Revolution is being developed, the 4.0. This is going to transform the business climate and people’s lives thanks to technologies related to the Internet of Things (IoT), Big Data, Cloud Computing, and Artificial Intelligence (AI), among others. But for Latin America and Colombia to be a part of this fast parade which is the Industrial Revolution 4.0, we must be able to guarantee certain conditions that promote the construction of digital highways (fiber optics, underwater cables, antennas, etc.) that will carry these technologies and services. In much the same way that governments have prioritized transportation infrastructure, it is critical that digital highways become another key pathway to foster the wellbeing and development of Colombia based on new technologies and the digital economy. Therefore, these policies can become effective ways to bridge the current digital gap and raise the quality of life of the citizens. In Colombia, in particular, in Resolution 5161, from 2017, the CRC (Communications Regulatory Committee) defined broadband as speeds up to 25 Mbps (megabits per second), a law which will begin to take effect in 2019 in Colombia. For these internet speed goals to become a reality, we need a solid network infrastructure that can handle the provision of services at these speeds. At the same time, through strategies like Kiosks and Live Digital, the Ministry of Information Technology and Communications (MinTIC) has taken some important steps towards widespread growth and awareness of the Information and Communications Technologies (TIC) in the last few years throughout the entire country. In addition, since 2016, important fiber optic investments have occurred. These have served to increase coverage in Colombia. This is an important step towards bringing the country closer through telecommunications and TIC services. You can definitely see the commitment of both the public and private TIC sectors, who have brought these numerous and relevant investments in infrastructure technology to the forefront. For this reason, public policy should focus on two key objectives. One, create a stable legal framework that fosters sustainable investments in telecommunications infrastructure. The laws should offer favorable and appealing conditions to the investors. Second, form a comprehensive digital environment through which entrepreneurs can explode through applications and technological innovations. If both of these do not happen at the same time, Colombia could suffer from underutilized networks if there aren’t enough users. Or there could be clogged networks if there isn’t enough bandwidth for all of the clients that need them. In other words, we run the risk of having carless highways or a lot of traffic on narrow highways. Therefore, the conversation about digital highways doesn’t simply refer to building them. It also must take into account the development of reliable legal and regulatory environments that open the door to profitable businesses for their investors. In this way, the creation of businesses and an industry that revolves around TIC is promoted. At the same time, the aim is to provide the highest quality services possible on high tech networks. With this in mind, public policies regarding the digital economy should continue to be strengthened in Colombia. This, in turn, should bring well being and progress to all the citizens. Author: Germán López