DEPARTMENT of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary for Info structure Management, Cybersecurity, and Upskilling Jeffrey Ian C. Dy initiated sweeping changes in the implementation of the Free Wi-Fi Program, aligned with the President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr.’s directive to review the sustainability of key DICT programs. This move, which commenced days after the resignation of Secretary Ivan John E. Uy, is also in line with the government’s broader rationalization initiatives.
“The current approach to the Free Wi-Fi Program requires reevaluation and restructuring. We are spending approximately ₱6.5 billion annually to provide internet access to more than 7,000 locations,” said Jeffrey Ian C. Dy, Undersecretary, DICT for Info structure Management, Cybersecurity, and Upskilling.
“There are more cost-effective alternatives if we enter into long-term agreements. For instance, we are in discussions with a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) provider for a potential discount to enhance connectivity in schools. The provider has offered an aggregated 200Mbps (MIR) of internet for 10,000 school locations at only P1.5B per year, provided the procurement is through a 10-year contract,” he added.
Beyond school connectivity, 40K additional locations have been identified for multicasting educational content, further improving digital learning accessibility nationwide.
Undersecretary Dy also mentioned that President Marcos has directed DICT to allocate P5B for the SIM Card ng Bayan Project.
This initiative aims to support the expansion of permanent cell site towers by subsidizing a portion of the cost for telcos and common tower providers.
subsidy will be provided in the form of free 25GB internet subscriptions for students within the coverage of these towers.
At the core of this initiative is the Common Tower Program, which is designed to expand mobile network coverage.
As network infrastructure grows, DICT can leverage these permanent towers to deploy broadband wireless access, further increasing the number of internet access points across the country.
“The SIM Card ng Bayan Project offers a more sustainable alternative to the Free Wi-Fi Program,” Undersecretary Dy said.
Editor’s Note: This article has been sourced from the PIA Cagayan Valley Facebook Page.
