By AARON RECUENCO

As the national government continues to find ways to address the wide digital divide in the country, a World Bank study disclosed that outdated policy frameworks in the country are serving as a hindrance in the broadband expansion and limit the access of internet connectivity to Filipinos.  

In the study titled “Better Internet for Filipinos: Reforms Promoting Competition and Increasing Investment for Broadband Infrastructure”, it added that one of the reasons that delays broadband expansion in the Philippines is the government failure to provide incentives to telecommunications companies.

“Unlike most other countries, the Philippines neither incentivizes nor obliges its largest operators to expand rural broadband coverage. Hundreds of small internet service providers (ISPs) extend broadband services in rural areas while facing an unlevel playing field,” the study read.

“For inclusive growth through digitalization that benefits all Filipinos, updating Philippine policy to promote competition, encourage investment, and upgrade broadband infrastructure is urgent and necessary,” it added.

During the Build Better More Infrastructure Forum at the New Clark City in Tarlac, Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Ivan John Uy said that they are pushing for more internet connectivity for the Filipinos since it would mean an increase in economic growth.

For instance, he said that an increase of 10 percent in internet penetration in the country has contributed to 1.4 percent in gross domestic product growth.

“Our free public internet access program is a commitment to bridging the digital divide, prioritizing our GIDAs or geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas,” said Uy during his presentation of DICT plans in the forum.

Currently, he said there are 13,562 sites in 1,400 towns and cities across the country, including 3,040 GIDAs.

“Our goal is to expand this network to 125,000 sites by 2028, budget-willing,  so that no one is left behind,” said Uy.

Lawmakers have been pushing for the passage of the bills that seek to amend the National Building Code of the Philippines that have been pending in the House of Representatives. 

Among them are the House Bill No. 900 which seeks to amend the building code, saying that the policies were outdated and that in order to emphasize the importance of electronic equipment facilities, such should be updated to include enough room for broadband services; and the House Bill No. 8534 which seeks to prohibit charging telecommunication companies for provisioning services within properties. 

On the part of telecom companies, Globe Telecom for instance has been advocating for the elimination of unnecessary rental costs and promoting infrastructure sharing.

Currently, there are over 600 building and property owners who allow the use of their buildings for telcos without a charge.