P1.408B to fund free internet in public places nationwide

TECHNOLOGY UPDATE

Maria Aprila Cruz

BAGUIO CITY - - The public can look forward to free internet connection in public places in 4^th to 6th class municipalities in the country.

Nestor S. Bongato, Chairman, director of Department of Science and Technology- Information and Communications Technology Office Luzon Cluster bared this to the Regional Development Council briefing them on government’s  “Free wi-fi internet access in public places project.”

Public places under this project include  town plazas,  transport terminals, libraries, municipal halls,  hospital lobbies, national government agencies, public parks and   local government unit offices.

Government shall extend broadband internet connectivity especially in underserved areas to enhance internet accessibility for Filipinos.

He said this will accelerate economic, social and educational opportunities and in reducing growing digital divide.

The budget for this project as authorized in the 2015 General Appropriations Act is P1.408 billion, Bongato said. 

Internet connectivity and Wi-Fi hotspots to most municipalities for the project will be sourced from the country’s Internet Service Providers (ISP), while in areas that do not have broadband connectivity/infrastructure.

The DOST intends to use TV white space (TVWS) technologies which was used to provide last mile connectivity in areas affected by the Bohol earthquake and Typhoon Yolanda.

TVWS refers to the vacant frequencies located between broadcast TV channels, which can be used to provide wireless data connectivity to remote communities in the country.”

Upon full deployment, the network would serve 105,000 concurrent users at 256 kbps each, which is the lowest prevailing speed requirement for “broadband” service.

The   project is expected to be implemented this July before the President’s State of the Nation Address, Bongato said.