Senate refiles bill to secure internet connectivity in remote areas
A bill requiring all public telecommunications entities and internet service providers to cover all “unserved and underserved areas” within three years has been refiled at the Philippine senate.
Senate Bill No. 329, or The Better Internet Act, seeks to provide fast, reliable, secure, and affordable internet to Filipinos all over the country.
The bill also directs public telcos and internet service providers to adhere to minimum connection, reception, pricing, and billing standards to uphold and protect consumer rights.
Senator Mary Grace Poe-Llamanzares said, “Undoubtedly, the internet has become an essential tool to survive and thrive… We should therefore bolster public access to it.”
The National Telecommunications Commission will be tasked with enforcing providers’ compliance with internet speed, quality, consistency, and other coverage obligations.
Noncompliance will result in a maximum fine of P2 million (US$35,594) per count of violation. The penalty is 1-2% of a service provider’s annual gross income if it earns less than P10 million.
