Researchers push for internet inclusivity in PH

MANILA, PHILIPPINES — The Philippine Institute for Development Studies (PIDS) is urging the government to provide accelerated and inclusive internet connectivity across the country. 

In its newly-released report, the PIDS said that this move will be good for the Philippines; economic and social benefit.

PIDS senior research fellow Ramonette Serafica and research specialist Queen Cel Oren wrote in the discussion paper that “reducing the digital divide in terms of internet access must continue to be the policy priority.”

Serafica and Oren underscored the importance of partnerships between the private and public sectors in reducing the digital divide, including the delivery of government plans and programs such as free WiFi projects.

“Best practice models of achieving universal internet access should be studied to develop schemes targeted at specific markets or user groups,” they said.

Citing an earlier study, they said the government may also incentivize facilities-based broadband providers in areas where internet service is unavailable or inadequate.

“Key to developing viable and sustainable solutions is knowing where the gaps exist. The NTC [National Telecommunications Commission] could develop a uniform reporting system for ISPs [internet service providers] while the DICT [Department of Information and Communications Technology] could compile and publish a broadband map which identifies internet service availability down to the barangay level where competition in the last mile occurs,” the researchers added.

Apart from examining options to address the digital divide, the paper also discussed internet connectivity value chain, including international link, domestic backbone, middle mile and last mile;  and barriers to competition in the internet access connectivity segment.