Filipinos Deserve Better Internet Services
As more Filipinos rely on digital platforms for work, school, and their day-to-day needs, companies providing telecommunication and digital services must be able to meet the demands of the new normal to boost the country’s connectivity and make internet services more accessible to Filipinos. Given the situation, we need the Philippine government to perform better regulatory work.
According to the latest Ookla Speedtest Global Index report, the Philippines ranked 86th out of 140 countries in terms of mobile internet speed. Although these figures are significantly higher than the previous year, Filipinos are still struggling to stay online due to persistent issues such as weak signals, low-quality internet services, and the country’s lack of digital infrastructures.
With the entry of DITO Telecommunity, the Philippine government hopes to break the country’s long-standing telecom duopoly and provide Filipinos with “world-class” internet services. Listed as a joint venture between state-owned China Telecom and Davao business tycoon Dennis Uy, the company has committed to provide a minimum average internet speed of 55 Mbps by 2024. However, DITO continues to face various issues as it tries to prepare for commercial rollout this month.
In a recent Senate hearing, Senator Risa Hontiveros urged the National Security Council (NSC) to conduct an independent security audit of DITO ahead of its commercial rollout, citing several unresolved security concerns including its ties with China Telecom, its agreement with the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) to build cell sites inside military camps, and China’s long history of bad behavior in cyberspace. Similarly, Senator Francis Pangilinan warned the Senate about the risks of investments and projects funded by China. He said that the Philippine government should not turn a blind eye to security risks brought by these partnerships, such as debt exposure, geopolitical impact, and cybersecurity issues.
The demand for reliable internet services has grown rapidly, especially during the height of the COVID-19 lockdown. As the country transitions to the new normal, BK3 calls on the Philippine government to continuously monitor DITO and the whole telco industry to ensure that Filipinos would be able to access safe, efficient, and fast digital services. Given the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is only right for the Philippine government to prioritize the improvement of digital services in the country to facilitate recovery.
Filipinos deserve better and safer digital infrastructure and services!