Internet Status in the Philippines

A Reaction Paper

Internet Status in the Philippines

In this advanced technological age, internet becomes the lifeblood of our daily living. Most of us

today use this for a variety of reasons: e-mailing to connect with friends and family, for business

and work correspondence, web-browsing for news, research and entertainment, and increasingly

for richer media and applications, such as watching online TV, posting videos and photos, as well

as creating Internet content through blogs and other interactive fora. Being able to use the

Internet has become an important necessity to any social and work life.

However, for many varied reasons, there are also Filipinos who are not able to access the benefits

the Internet has to offer. Some cannot afford it and though others have it, yet its internet speeds

vary and without minimum broadband speeds. The Internet experience is less positive and, in

some cases, makes it impossible to enjoy some of the higher-end applications.

Historically, the Internet first made its connection to the Philippines on March 29, 1994. On that

date the Philippine Network Foundation (PHNet) connected the country and its people to Sprint

in the United States via a 64 kbit/s link. 1 Since then, the number of Filipino Internet users has grown,

gradually at first but considerably rapid in the past few years. The International Communication

Union (ITU) estimates that from a mere 4,000 Internet users in 1994, there were about 8.3 million of

Filipino Internet users in 2009.

By definition, Internet sometimes called simply "the Net," is a worldwide system of computer

networks - a network of networks in which users at any one computer can, if they have permission,

get information from any other computer (and sometimes talk directly to users at other

computers). It was conceived by the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) of the U.S.

government in 1969 and was first known as the ARPANet. The original aim was to create a network

that would allow users of a research computer at one university to "talk to" research computers at

other universities. A side benefit of ARPANet's design was that, because messages could be routed

or rerouted in more than one direction, the network could continue to function even if parts of it

were destroyed in the event of a military attack or other disaster. 2

Over the past decades Internet, has become an important tool for development. There are very

good reasons for why developing countries should include widespread use of the Internet in their

development goals. The Internet can help improve governance, can create more productive

businesses, and can promote knowledge communities.

The Internet can facilitate better governance by making government processes more efficient

and transparent, and contribute to delivering useful government information and services quickly.

By 2005, of the 191 UN Member States, 179 (or almost 94%) had some form of eGovernment

initiative, up from 178 member states in 2004 and 143 member states in 2001.4 According to the

UN eGovernment Report, “not only did more countries come online, they expanded and

consolidated their e-services further.”5 However, what could be the most significant contribution

of Internet use in governance is enhancing citizen participation. Some have argued that the

Internet has made direct democracy possible.6

The Internet has also created a new way of doing business or eCommerce. According to a 2007

projection by the research firm IDC, "despite continuing political and economic uncertainty, the

Internet's extraordinary stability, resiliency, and ever-increasing utility will push the global market

for ecommerce spending past $10 trillion by 2010."7 The Internet is also transforming 'traditional'

businesses, making them more productive and giving them a global presence. To date, even if

only a few small and medium sized businesses provide online transactions, they have begun

posting their services and goods online, giving them market reach that would otherwise have

been available only to big corporations.

Also, Internet plays an important role in developing communities by empowering infomediaries

and eventually community members themselves. Internet access can help infomediaries,

including teachers, agricultural extension workers, NGOs, cooperatives, community groups, and

churches, to enhance their development roles. For instance, online training for agriculture

extension workers will update them with the latest in agricultural technologies which they can

share with farmers. Cooperatives can get regular information on prices of commodities that they

trade.

Expanding the Internet, including to rural areas, leads to new opportunities for nonagricultural

employment, better paying agricultural jobs and greater overall productivity. Access to the

Internet also fosters small and microbusiness growth, allows citizens in remote areas to work from

home, provides greater access to crop market prices and enables rural businesses to compete

more effectively in world markets. Research has shown that this type of Internet use helps to

reduce poverty by increasing income and reducing costs for the poor. Internet-enabled

technologies such as video-conferencing can also reduce travel and congestion.

Thus, creating Internet opportunities for all ensures that the Philippines has an inclusive growth and

helps eradicate poverty.

On the other hand, in spite of its uses, in Philippines internet speed is always been an issue. Even

the government did not able to put a remedy with this concern. We know the fact that internet

fuels us to do our daily tasks but poor services from the respective service providers result to

delayed schedules and the most basic reason or common reason why we experience poor

service is because of the congestion and inadequate infrastructure.8

In addition to the issues with regards to internet, we have the following existing problems: IP

peering and red tape. IP peering is when two networks exchange traffic with each other freely,

benefiting both parties in terms of improved performance, better capacity for handling large

amounts of traffic, or a host of other possible benefits. Philippines currently runs 3 Internet Exchange

points in the Country. Philippine Open Internet Exchange (PhOPENIX), Philippine Internet Exchange

(PhIX), and Philippine Common Routing Exchange (PHNET CORE). While many ISPs are

interconnected to each other, PLDT is the only remaining ISP, alongside SMART Communications,

to not have an established Peering Setup with local Carriers. The NTC has requested PLDT to agree

to IP Peer with Globe, but PLDT denied it, allegedly on the grounds that Internet service levels

could suffer because the NTC memo circular does not provide for rigorous and robust

arrangements for IP peering.9

For the red tape, on January 28, 2015 a senate hearing was brought in by Senator Bam Aquino to

investigate the cause of slow internet connectivity in the Philippines. Globe Telecom and

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), raised one major concern: the lengthy

processes and exorbitant fees several LGUs require of them. According to Derek Lim, Globe's

senior vice president for corporate and legal services, "In general, it takes 6 months to put up a

tower". Ramon Isberto, head of PLDT's public affairs has backed up Globe's claim and says that

red tape problems is an industry-wide concern.10

The status on Philippine Internet connection is not satisfactory. In the latest household download

index by Internet broadband testing company Ookla, the Philippines ranked 176th out of 202

countries with an average download speed of 3.64 megabit per second (mbps), way below the

average broadband speed of 23.3 mbps. This was the second slowest in Asia, next to cellar-

dweller Afghanistan with 2.52 mbps.”

In terms of upload speed, the Philippines still lagged behind other countries as it ranked even lower

at 178th with 1.54 mbps—way below the average global upload speed of 10.6 mbps.

Singapore has the fastest Internet speed in the world, both in terms of download (122.43 mbps)

and upload speed (102.04 mbps). Asian countries like Hong Kong, Japan and South Korea also

cracked the top ten of the speed index.

Equatorial Guinea recorded the slowest download speed in the world at 0.93 mbps, while Niger

has the slowest upload speed set at 0.53 mbps.

“In a separate report, cloud services provider Akamai Technologies said that, while the Philippines

might have improved its connection by a percentage point, its overall ranking in Asia still remains

at number 13 out of 15, or the third-worst connection in the region.

Filipinos, according to the first-quarter report of Akamai, enjoyed an average download speed of

2.8 Mbps during the period under review. Trailing behind are India and Indonesia with 2.3 Mpbs

and 2.2 Mbps average speed, respectively.

Again, South Korea, Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore were the top 4, with their connection

speeds touching the 70-Mbps to 98.5-Mbps range at peak.”11

Despite being one of the slowest, Internet in the Philippines also emerged as one of the most

expensive (61st), with an average value of $18.19 per mbps, exceeding the average global cost

of $5.21. The country also ranked 59th in the relative cost of broadband subscription, which was

set at $31.55. 12

With regards to this condition, let us find out deeply the reasons why the country's Internet is slow,

and what can be done to improve the Philippines' Internet speeds. According to rappler.com

(which features the “The Philippine Internet and making it better”), Lara referred to the May 28

Senate hearing when it came time to discuss why the Internet is slow. According to the Senate

hearing, "basically what they're saying is (there's) oversubscription and congestion."

“Dissecting that answer, we first come across the issue of determining oversubscription in the

country. Lara explained that it was difficult to get data from telecommunications companies and

the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to get an objective view of the situation. As

a result, the observations Lara and his team can make only come from analyzing the networks

themselves relative to general use.”

According to Lara, one observation was that people – and companies – get what they pay for.

By this, he explained that "businesses, since they pay for very expansive leased lines, they really

get the 1:1 ratio of connectivity."

This ratio, he explained, relates to the speed going from your home or office modem to the service

provider, and then from the service provider going out to the intended site or destination. While

most of the speeds going from homes or businesses to the service provider tend to be the same,

the difference lies in the second bit: the path from provider to the intended destination.

What happens is that those who pay more – such as businesses – get a faster connection going

out from the service provider to the intended site or destination, while those who pay less used

shared infrastructure for the same purpose. The shared infrastructure tends to have more people

and is thus slower as a result.

While this particular issue is, he said, "tolerated to some extent" in other countries, Lara thought the

issue of oversubscription may need to be looked into. While he noted there was a level of

acceptable oversubscription due to the ebb and flow of people using the Internet at different

times, when you get past a certain level of oversubscription the overall service degrades.13

As a user of the net, I wanted also to have equal benefits from my subscription. But sad to say that

it is not applicable in our country. I still have to pay for same amount of subscription though its

services is not good. According to businessmirror.com.ph, this year Sen. Francis G. Escudero also

called for another inquiry on the state of the Philippine broadband market, calling it

“unacceptable” given that it has a direct impact to many industries, like the business -process

outsourcing sector, which currently helps grow the Philippine economy.

“The current situation in the country is, sad to say, unacceptable. The state of Internet speed is

pathetic, and unless we remedy this situation, our IT [information technology] sector is likely to

suffer in the long term,” he said. He called on the NTC to start cracking the whip and fix the system

immediately.

“If they have to be mandated to allocate some of their earnings for improving Internet speed,

mainly through investing in more equipment and hardware, then so be it,” Escudero said.

He added: “These telcos have been going to town in the past few years telling their shareholders

that they have been earning billions of pesos. But they conveniently forget the millions of

subscribers and users who put those billions in their coffers but who continue to suffer from poor

service.”

As of end-June, PLDT and Globe have a combined net income of P27.4 billion. “The point is,

something needs to be done and done very soon,” he said. “The problem is that government

agencies that are supposed to monitor these telcos and help consumers don’t seem to feel the

urgency of the situation.”

The problem of our government agencies is that though they know the existing concerns yet their

action is not that appreciable. It’s like our internet connection, so slow. That is why we always

remain as a low level country.

Now that we are in 4G, still Philippines is in its slow pace. “A survey by OpenSignal, a company

that created impartial coverage maps of mobile networks, showed that the Philippines has the

poorest and slowest LTE broadband internet access and coverage in the world.”

Six million users from around the world were asked to comment on download speed and

proportion of time spent with LTE access during the second half of 2013. These two matrices were

then combined to “build a picture of true network performance.”

Both Smart and Globe were classified under “Poor coverage and slow” in the quadrant graph

entitled The Breadth of LTE Performance. “Globe Philippines is the worst performing network,” the

OpenSignal article said. The graph showed that while Globe was said to be faster than Smart, it

was used less often compared to the latter. The Philippines is also last place when it comes to both

speed and time spent on LTE.

Aside from poor LTE connection, both Globe and Smart recently faced users' disdain over the

networks' data caps on unlimited postpaid plans where 3G connections are reduced to 2G when

users reach a certain limit.

Globe responded by showing an infographic on their Fair Use Policy (FUP) where they showed that

their 3Gb monthly data limit is “more than enough for your monthly mobile data needs.” Smart's

public affairs chief Ramon Isberto, however, said that the telco has been flexible with its FUP.

“This has not been an issue for us largely because we have more than sufficient capacity to handle

our mobile data traffic,” Isberto said in an email to GMA News Online on Wednesday. Also, he

said Smart is studying data traffic patterns and customer data usage on their network for an

updated fair-use policy.

OpenSignal is a company that is creating a comprehensive database of cellular phone

towers, signal strength readings, and Wi-Fi access points around the world. They've been

collecting information about wireless networks from users through the OpenSignal app.14

Actually, their “fair use policy” did not give justice for a consumer like me. There were times that I

did not able to connect on the net because of network congestion. Also, though I wanted to

subscribe a “Supersurf” I did not able to make it because it cannot be processed at those times.

Meanwhile, in order no to remain in this status quo, I would like to recommend a Universal Access

of Internet in the Philippines since the Internet is a unique technology in that it provides universal

access to information and knowledge, affording the “same powerful capabilities to everyone who

has access to the network no matter where they are.”15This equality of access is a key reason why

the Internet fosters innovation.

Traditionally, universal access is defined as “a situation where every person has a reasonable

means of access to a publicly available telephone.”16 Today more sophisticated technologies for

broadcasting and transmitting information continue to be considered as part of universal access.

It should be noted that universal access has evolved in meaning so that now it is understood as

“a dynamic concept with a set of moving targets.”17

The current definition of universal access is based on three key characteristics: affordability,

accessibility and quality of service.18 Governments, however, have the choice to define and set

indicators of access in consideration of these. Universal access definitions, indicators, and targets

are normally identified in national development plans. Logic and practicability of universality

definition are critical since indicators and targets hinge on these definitions.

The Philippine government should formally adopt a Universal Internet Access (UIA) policy and

identify a lead agency to implement it. This policy should aim to provide all Filipinos with easy,

affordable and usable access to information goods and services that will promote a just,

democratic and inclusive society. The UIA policy should continue the overall thrust of government

for a market-based, private-sector information infrastructure development. A key feature of this

new strategy would be to focus less on promoting Internet take-up through affordability ("low

rates" or free access through CeCs-Community e-Center) and instead place more effort on

increasing the value derived from online services. This would mean a reorientation of the role of

national government agencies from providing Internet access points/centers to creating online

(digital) content. The UIA policy would also define an enhanced role for local governments.

Our experience with telecommunications monopoly and market liberalization and competition

proves that a market-based strategy to building an information infrastructure is a more suitable

approach.

In pursuit of this pro-competitive market approach to ICT development, government should

seriously consider adopting the following policy reforms to curb market inefficiencies:

Open Communications Policy. Government should seriously consider adopting a policy that

would allow open access to networks. According to Wikipedia, “open Access in the context of

Communication (Open Communication) means that anyone, on equal conditions with a

transparent relation between cost and pricing, can get access to and share communication

resources on one level to provide value added services on another level in a layered

communication system architecture.”19

Broadband Bill of Rights. In order to ensure the free flow of information, supported by basic

principles of openness (of access), equality (of data), diversity (of content), and freedom (of

expression) that have long characterized the Internet, government should consider the adoption

of a “Broadband Bill of Rights” as proposed by the Center for Digital Democracy.20 This Bill of Rights

includes the following 10 principles:

1. Choice: Open-access regulations are needed to ensure that independent Internet service

providers (ISPs) and content producers will be able to offer their services on all broadband

platforms, enabling users to enjoy the same full range of programming via broadband.

2. Nondiscrimination: No transport-management schemes (e.g., policy-based routing)

should be used simply to favor certain programming over other content, by artificially

constraining "competitive" or nonaffiliated fare.

3. Privacy: Existing privacy regulations need to be extended to include all interactive media,

regardless of means of delivery.

4. Open Systems: The Internet's "end-to-end" architecture must be preserved, and to the

extent that "walled gardens" offer only a subset of Internet content, they should be clearly

labeled.

5. Interoperability: Set-top boxes should be both non-proprietary (i.e., interoperable among

cable systems) and transparent (i.e., user configurable).

6. Public Interest Obligations: The public-interest principle should inform the world of ITV as

well. A small portion of the extra capacity that broadcasters have gained in the switch to

DTV, as well as the enhancements that cable operators will offer under ITV, should be

devoted to community-based informational and educational purposes.

7. Civic Content: The broadband revolution should be harnessed, in some small measure, to

serve the needs of civil society, including enhanced campaign coverage, community forums,

cultural programming, and noncommercial information exchange.

8. Educational Opportunities: The new interactive media of broadband should serve all

aspects of lifelong learning, meeting the educational needs of young and old alike

through pre-school programming, supplementary classroom material, distance learning,

vocational training, and other educational fare.

9. Children's Programming: The meager requirements for children's programming on

television should be supplemented in the broadband era.

10. Digital Divide: Even as we close the gap that separates the connected from the

unconnected, we must make certain that new, more subtle forms of digital inequity do

not arise, in which the haves vs. the have-nots are replaced by the haves vs. the have

mores.

Spectrum Management Review. Spectrum management has become an important ICT policy

concern in light of the growing importance of wireless technologies in extending ICT goods and

services nationwide. Spectrum management is defined as the “planning, coordinating, and

managing joint use of the electromagnetic spectrum through operational, engineering, and

administrative procedures.”21Its objective is “to enable electronic systems to perform their

functions in the intended environment without causing or suffering unacceptable interference.”22

Recognizing this, it has been suggested that the NTC “start on the difficult task of reviewing its

spectrum management policy to arrive at a better allocation and assignment of spectrum

rights.”23. This review would include the allocation and assignment of current radio spectrum

bands, a determination of the optimal allocation and assignment method, and a reallocation of

the spectrum to its most efficient allocation and assignment. It has been suggested further that

NTC should consider shifting away from the administrative allocation and assignment approach

(or 'beauty contest') to a market-based mechanism (auctions) to allocate spectrum.24

The increasing ubiquity of wireless devices and the ability to access ‘any content, any time, any

place, anywhere’ means that the efficient management of spectrum is critical. Wireless

technologies are closing the divide that exists between emerging and developed countries.

Spectrum is a scarce resource that needs to be managed effectively and efficiently in order to

derive maximum economic and social benefit.

There are three basic steps to efficient spectrum management:

● the allocation of specific categories of frequency;

● the assignment of frequencies to users; and

● the equitable distribution of frequency to users.

Most systems of spectrum management include the first two stages, but do not include the

equitable distribution of frequency. In other words, spectrum management needs to take into

account both the private sector as well as public interest. The public interest can be served, for

example, when frequency is set aside for community broadcasters and NGOs. If there is an

equitable distribution of spectrum, it ensures that a select few operators do not dominate the

market. At the moment, frequency allocation in the Philippines is not seen as transparent, fair or

competitive. Greater competition in the market would support greater innovation and faster

penetration of new wireless devices and applications.

Furthermore, here are keys key actions, which will make the critical difference for creating Internet

opportunities for all people in the Philippines.

First, craft and implement a national broadband policy, a national broadband policy’s objective

is typically to accelerate broadband infrastructure deployment, to ensure that broadband service

reaches all parts of the country, as well as to promote the adoption of broadband usage among

households, businesses, industry sectors and public/government institutions. It often focuses on

identifying and then removing regulatory and other barriers for infrastructure development and

broadband uptake, as well as providing incentives. This can include improved spectrum

availability, infrastructure sharing, open non-discriminatory access and pricing to backbone

facilities; reduced spectrum fees in rural areas, and tax and other financial incentives. Important

also are measures for demand stimulation, such as “one laptop per child or household” programs,

awareness raising, capacity building and training as well as content development initiatives.

This key action – developing and implementing a broadband policy – is necessary because

broadband development has become extremely important for socio-economic development of

a country. But broadband is less commercially viable in more remote and rural areas. Often these

areas are more sparsely populated and thus generate less revenue, while requiring equal or more

investment than urban areas. In some cases the rural population is less well-off and thus less people

can afford broadband services. The government will develop a broadband policy that ensures

an equitable broadband development including for rural areas and enabling all parts of society.

Next, implement security measures (infrastructure, data and cybercrime) and privacy protection;

as private and government transactions increasingly rely on and are driven by ICT, the continued

reliability and robustness of the infrastructure to withstand threats and damages that may be

caused by natural calamities, terrorism, crimes and other unanticipated events (whether natural

or man-made) is critical to engendering the trust and confidence of investors, stakeholders and

the general public.

It is said that cyberspace is the nervous system of this national infrastructure – the control system

of a country. It is for this reason that securing vital infrastructure and data is important. Also,

cybercrimes can be serious in terms of the scope and depth of damage that they may cause.

Cybercrimes are wide-ranging in nature, are constantly evolving, and may target physical

infrastructure or digital applications and content. Given that exploiting security flaws is now easier,

less expensive and more anonymous than ever before, cybercrime is a serious threat that is not

likely to dissipate.

Securing cyberspace is an extraordinarily difficult challenge that requires a coordinated and

focused effort, with an emphasis on prevention and damage limitation. As with other crimes, most

security plans concentrate on minimizing the frequency and duration of disruptions caused by

cybercrime and minimizing the extent of the damage. It is critical that modern laws and policies

that are in place are appropriate and effective at dealing with the many potential consequences

of cybercrimes. Typical areas of focus include: governance and security, international

cooperation, emergency preparedness, information security exchange, human resources

security, physical and environmental security, access information systems controls, incident

handling and compliance. Specific considerations can be made for women and children in terms

of cyber security since these are two vulnerable sectors for cyber crimes.

Online Consumer Protection

Without an adequate baseline of consumer protection, there will remain a reluctance by some

users to comprehensively engage in electronic communications. The adequacy of the protection

can partially be gauged by how many users refuse to participate and consequently miss out on

the long list of advantages the online environment has to offer. Another measure of online

consumer protection is the ease and extent to which users have recourse when something goes

wrong.

Online consumer protection includes data security and privacy provisions, methods to reduce

cybercrimes, and enforcement of intellectual property rights. This protection can be developed

through a combination of expanded digital literacy, industry self-regulation and laws, policy and

enforcement administered by governments or through private-public partnerships.

Proactive measures such as education, training, policing, and the use of advanced technologies

are enhanced when there is a system in place that quickly and fairly prosecutes law breakers.

Protective measures are targeted and strengthened in order to help guard against criminal

activity affecting more vulnerable groups – such as children, women, elderly and other,

technologically marginalized groups.

The general public will be made aware of the nature of cybercrimes and sustained efforts will be

undertaken to improve their knowledge of such activities and the proper way of using the Internet

and online resources to avoid being victims of cyber criminals, causing damage to others online

or unwittingly being used in undesirable online undertakings.

Data Security and Privacy

Similarly, the ability to assure protection of personal or confidential information online is a critical

feature of any digital society and vibrant BPO sector, such as that found here in the Philippines,

where data privacy and security is a non-negotiable necessity. In order for digital communications

to flourish, and to become a common and accepted means of conducting business, interacting

with government, carrying out financial transactions, interacting socially, or participating in a host

of other connected activities, it is essential that a minimum standard of user confidence exists.

The key concern is lost control and unauthorized use of private and confidential information.

Gathering and distributing information without the explicit consent of the user, legal or illegal, can

be widespread and potentially damaging to user confidence. The very nature of “online” data –

malleable, storable, easily and quickly transferable – coupled with those of the “online” criminal –

borderless, anonymous – lends themselves to creating potentially widespread and serious

problems for an evolving digital society. Encouraging best practice in data management and

privacy, ensuring that legal provisions are clear and are met, and defending against abuse are

the core objectives of a data protection framework. Within this framework, there shall be practical

safeguards set for the handlers of information, a clear set of rules to follow and punishment to

dissuade illegal practices. It shall also include a program to improve user literacy by teaching risks

and solutions, and encouraging safe electronic communications practice. Finally, there may also

be an allowance for proactive policing and prosecution of abusers.

Internet Governance Policy should be imposed. The increasing use of the Internet makes it

imperative for our country to develop a policy on Internet governance that is based on

international norms and standards. It is recognized that Internet is an engine of development, such

that any policy on Internet governance should be open for development and innovation, and

considers protection of privacy and human rights.25

There isn't a simple solution to improving the status of Internet. But from the bill filed by Senator

Ralph Recto proposing to mandate Internet service providers and telecom companies to increase

the minimum speed of their Internet service to 10 mbps, could at least help ease the burden of

slow internet connection.

Also, we need to pursue vigorously a universal Internet access policy because the Internet and its

widespread use can significantly help stimulate innovation and economic growth. Universal

Internet access can also have a positive impact on citizenship and democratic governance in

the country. Thus, as has been noted by both analysts and activists, “providing access for all is a

policy area in which promoting social justice and inclusion is in harmony with economic

efficiency.”26

Base on businessmirror.com.ph, in a memo, Cordoba said the average connection for a fixed-line

broadband plan should be on a par with the standard of the International Telecommunications

Union, or at 256 kilobits per second.

Subscribers, he said, should always be updated as to the connection service that they are using,

whether they reach the minimum requirement or not. The NTC will procure Internet speed-test

technologies to enact the memo, Cabarios said. Results will be published per area every month.

On the instance that subscribers will not enjoy the speed that were advertised to them, they can

file complaints before the regulator, or the Department of Trade and Industry if it involves false

advertising. But the teeth of the law are not that sharp enough, Cordoba said.

“According to Public Service Act of 1936, the penalty for such complaints is around P200. The law

was promulgated in the 1930s, thus, it needs to be updated,” he said. The National Economic and

Development Authority estimates that P200, when the law was promulgated, is equivalent to

about P1.4 million in present time.

While the absence of the law restricts the regulator from its job, there are also other factors that

affect Internet connection in the Philippines. These are topography, the lack of investments and

the inefficiency in local peering.

A quick response of our Internet Service Provider and government is badly needed. In this fast-

paced society we need the Internet to keep up to date and be ready to compete globally. In

the meantime, a "general solution" for telcos is to add their capacities by building more cell sites.

In addition, the National Telecommunications Commission cited "positive developments" that

could improve Internet speed such as the use TV white space or the unused channels in analog

TV, the implementation of digital TV, and new ISP satellite service that would allow users to get

Internet connection through satellites.

NTC is proposing that the NTC be allowed to retain fees that it collects and use it to develop fiber

networks and fund broadband network infrastructure.

It would always be the support of the government and the cooperation of our internet service

provider would put an end to the issue of slow speed connection. Hopefully internet hackers would

be out of the picture. The law regarding this must be properly imposed to secure our dreamed

connection for internet.

References

1 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Internet_in_the_Philippines 2http://searchwindevelopment.techtarget.com/definition/Internet 3See for instance, Dick Morris Vote.com: How Big-Money Lobbyists and the Media are Losing Their Influence, and the

Internet is Giving Power to the People. 4 http://www.unpan.org/egovernment5.asp 5Ibid. 6See for instance, Dick Morris Vote.com: How Big-Money Lobbyists and the Media are Losing Their Influence, and the

Internet is Giving Power to the People. 7 http://www.idc.com/getdoc.jsp?containerId=206420 8 Why is Philippine Internet so slow _ ABS-CBN News.html 9"PLDT rejects IP peering proposal of NTC, Globe | SciTech | GMA News Online". Gmanetwork.com. 2011-08-10.

Retrieved 2013-11-27. 10"Slow Internet? Blame red tape – telcos". Rappler. 11 http://www.businessmirror.com.ph/phls-slow-but-expensive-internet-service/

12"PH Internet 2nd slowest in Asia, one of the most expensive". Philippine Daily Inquirer. 19 May 2015.

13 http://www.rappler.com/technology/features/60401-philippine-internet-speeds-ip-peering

14http://www.gmanetwork.com/news/story/349644/scitech/technology/phl-has-poorest-slowest-lte-broadband-in-the-

world-int-l-survey 15 http://www.livinginternet.com/i/ip_access.htm

16 Hank Intven and McCarthy Tetrault (2000). Telecommunications Regulation Handbook- Module 6: Universal

Service.InfoDev. The World Bank. 17 Heather F. Hudson “From missing links to digital divides: progress and change since the Maitland Report”

GeraldMilward-Oliver (ed) Maitland+20: Finding the Missing Link (Wiltshire: Anima Center, 2005) p. 46 18 ITU Constitution cited in Tim Kelly, PhD (1999). Access Policies for Achieving Universal Service/Universal Access,

ITU,presented during the Workshop on settlement reform and the costing and pricing of telecom services, Laos, 16-18

November 19 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_Communication

20 http://www.democraticmedia.org/billofrights.html

21http://www.thefreedictionary.com/spectrum+management

22 Ibid.

23Gilbert Llanto. “Reviewing the Philippines’ Spectrum Management Policy”. PIDS Policy Notes. Philippine Institute for

Development Studies”, December 2006. Available from http://dirp4.pids.gov.ph/ris/pn/pidspn0611.pdf , p.8 24Ibid.

25 The Philippine Digital Strategy transformation 2.0: digitally empowered nation, Internet Opportunities for all the People

26 Damian Tambini is a fellow at the Institute for Public Policy Research and UK government’s adviser on communications

policy. His publications include Cyberdemocracy (1998) Routledge; and, Citizens, Markets and States (2000)

OxfordUniversity Press.