Philippine Internet

It was in 1993 that Filipinos first laid their eyes on the Internet through the efforts of PHnet. Only a few had the privilege to do so. It was through Mosaic Communications, Inc. (MosCom) that majority of the public was given the opportunity to discover cyberspace – the contagious virus that had spread around the world. It came in June 1994 that MosCom launched the “first commercial Internet Service Provider (ISO)” in the country. Now, the term “ISP” is part of the local vocabulary – one that can never be missed any conversation involving Internet accessibility. If not for the genius of MosCom, Filipinos could have just been stuck for long hours and days in the university libraries doing research assignments for work or school.

A Period of Firsts

Being the ”First of Firsts in Philippine Internet History,” MosCom owns the crowning glory that paved way to the local websites (portals) during that period. The “First Online Educational Institution” is Ateneo de Manila University. The ”First Literary Site” is Akda. The “First Online Directory” is Cyberbayan. The “First Online bank” is Asian Development Bank. Big names in the local corporate industry soon came in. These include the Ayala Corporation, IBM Philippines, Ticketworld and business paper, Businessworld.

But, foremost, the Philippine Internet history owes its success to the “Grandfather of Philippine Internet,” Dr. William “Bill” Torres, who is also the co-founder and president of MosCom and currently the president of the Philippine Internet Service Organization (PISO). Dr. Torres plays a vital role in Philippine Internet history being the first Filipino who initiated the first informal negotiations with the US National Science Foundation to bring the Internet to the Philippines in 1992. Through his efforts and genius, Dr. Torres was able to gain the support from the Philippine government to sponsor the first Internet project in the country. His active stint in the National Computer Center (NCC), he conducted studies on the possibility of creating an academic/research network that would consist of universities and government institutions commissioning the Ateneo de Manila University with Arnie del Rosario as committee head. Soon enough, the Department of Science and technology assumed its role in the academic scene and formed a Technical Committee involving top universities – Ateneo de Manila University, De la Salle University, University of the Philippines Diliman and University of the Philippines Los Baños.

A limited electronic network facility was established among these universities through the PHnet project and later joined by the University of the Philippines Los Baños, University of Santo Tomas, as well as the Asian Development Bank. MosCom followed suit in June 1994 as Dr. Torres' breakthrough project in the commercial realm of the local Internet industry.

A lot of ISPs have dissipated since with the weak infrastructure system, scams and scandals. Businesses hoped and tried but only a few like MosCom survived. It was a tough struggle for the budding Cyber Commerce for the country as government laws and regulations had been fought for to be in place. The Philippine Internet Industry faced a lot of controversies because of the unlimited freedom given to all users. Censorship supposedly enforced by government agencies to safeguard viewers from promiscuity, classified information, etc. failed because of the boundless freedom of the Internet highway. Soon enough, policies on the regulation of the local Internet scene were soon established and most businesses followed suit.

Expanded Horizons

A “paperless environment” in the corporate world and a “URL” and “email address” in business cards became an imperative. Voice messaging took its downtrend and business trips dropped with the advent of teleconferencing. A “Virtual Reality” evolved making the Internet a commodity in every day life for everyone.

Yet dynamism of the Internet World perpetuates and has taken other faces from its original entity. From corporate messaging and networking, it began to develop social communities and enterprise limited to its own dimension. With “E-Commerce” entering the scene, a lot of old businesses have closed shop. Security became another feature – with the innovation of “biometrics.”

Staying Focused

Amid the developments in the realm of Philippine Internet, MosCom, the commercial industry pioneer, never lost track. MosCom continues to play an active role in the industry with constant innovation and research conducted to satisfy the changing needs and desires of the highly advanced “I.T. literate” market. It rides with the tide and exerts all efforts to keep industry afloat, now being the largest and having the widest geographical reach across the country. Just like the local Internet industry itself, MosCom continues to reinvent itself with a new name and logo – from MosCom, it has renamed itself to “Mozcom” and now a trendy @-stylied “M” from its original “dot-matrix logo.” The new name and logo projects its new image and its longevity in the industry that it is undoubtedly able to cope with the trend and remain a vital player in the development of new technologies. “Mozcom” is the “rebirth” of the pioneer in the Philippine Internet Industry as it remains steadfast in tis commitment of providing Filipinos more reliable and diversified products and services.