Govt urged to invest more in broadband connection to boost internet access

AN advocacy network has pressed the government to invest more in broadband connection as it cited data from the Department of Science and Technology that 65 percent of Filipinos do not have easy access to the internet.

The CitizenWatch Philippines said that it is vital for the government to put more emphasis on boosting the country's' investment in broadband connectivity as it noted the growing need for faster and better internet connection among Filipinos. It cited the Private Sector Advisory Council's proposal to add around P240 billion in funding to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to help deploy 5G connections faster.

The group lamented that a quarter of the country's population would remain offline despite the advancements in technology.

«Broadband investments will enable more Filipinos, wherever they may be in the archipelago, to participate in the digital economy, that would in turn increase their income potential and upgrade their skills,» it said in a statement.

«If the Philippines wants to be a significant player in the global economy and boast of a people that is dynamic and technologically adept, the government must take this decisive action soonest,» it added.

An international research company, Statista Research Department, said 77.81 percent of the Filipino population will have internet connection by 2028 in its current phase.

The average broadband internet speed in the Philippines was ranked 41st in the world, according to the Telecom Review.

Think tank Stratbase ADR Institute President Dindo Manhit backed the CitizenWatch's call for more investments in broadband connections.

He said that now is the best time to invest to help adapt to the changing times.

«The transformative potential of broadband infrastructure can be best harnessed by the Philippines' young and digital savvy population, even as all segments of the citizenry stand to benefit from digital transformation,» Manhit said.

«Access to fast and reliable broadband services is a fundamental requirement for full and meaningful participation in the digitized global economy. We stand to lose so much in real and potential benefits if we do not