Arthur Fuentes

Lanie Clemente, a 5th grade teacher at the Rafael Palma Elementary School attends an online training on using teaching tools and software inside her home in Malate, Manila on September 30, 2020. George Calvelo, ABS-CBN News

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Internet user

ABS-CBN News

BORACAY, Aklan – Internet subscribers can expect faster service restoration and reduced downtime under the Konektadong Pinoy Act, the Department of Information and Communications technology said on Thursday.DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said the agency aims to finish the implementing rules and regulations of the Act this month. One of things the public can expect is a “service level standard” for telcos.“Magkakaroon kayo ng &#x27;proteksyon&#x27;. Magkakaroon kayo ng &#x27;service level standard&#x27; sa mga Telco,” Aguda told the attendees at the CXO Tech Summit in Boracay, Malay, Aklan on Thursday.“Yung sa mga kaibigan ko sa bangko na sinasabi nila: ‘Bakit ba pag hindi kami nakapagbayad, putol kaagad? Pero pagka naputol, matagal ma-&#x27;restore&#x27;. Hindi na pwede &#x27;yun,” Aguda said.Aguda said he expects the Konektadong Pinoy Act to cut the cost of internet connectivity by half, through increased competition with the entry of new players.Established telcos who had been opposing the Act meanwhile will also benefit as the DICT will push for amendments to the National Building Code.“Ang kapalit po, aayusin po natin &#x27;yung &#x27;right of way&#x27;. Isusulong po natin &#x27;yung &#x27;National Building Code amendment&#x27; where ang &#x27;telecom infrastructure&#x27; sa mga &#x27;building&#x27; at &#x27;public places&#x27;, dapat libre na natin sa telco,” Aguda said.<div>WIFI FOR ALL, NATIONAL FIBER BACKBONE</div>Aguda said the DICT is also aiming to provide free WiFi to 53,000 schools under the Department of Education “by the end of the year.” Aguda said this was still far from their target of setting up 132,000 free WiFi hotspots.Next year, the DICT is aiming to connect 28,000 health centers, and then “all” the barangay halls.Aguda said they are also looking to finish the National Fiber Backbone Project next year, before President Ferdinand Marcos Jr’s next State of the Nation Address.“So, ngayon, naka-commit na po kami. Matatapos &#x27;yung &#x27;National Fiber Backbone&#x27; &#x27;before the next SONA, by June&#x27;. A project that people are saying &#x27;can only be completed beyond 2028&#x27;, will be completed &#x27;two years ahead of schedule&#x27;,” Aguda told attendees at the summit, which includes the chief information officers of some of the biggest firms in the country.The NFB, which is a flagship project of the DICT, aims to set up a secure and robust nationwide fiber optic network, and bring connectivity to areas that are not reached by commercial providers.“That is one of those things that &#x27;only in the Philippines&#x27; can be done. That&#x27;s the largest and most robust &#x27;fiber optic backbone&#x27; that is sovereign owned,” Aguda said.Ito po &#x27;yung, &#x27;small&#x27; na &#x27;backbone&#x27;. &#x27;Free WiFi for all&#x27;. There&#x27;s around &#x27;132,000 WiFi locations&#x27; that we need to &#x27;put&#x27; &#x27;connectivity&#x27;. Nasaan na po tayo? Nasa &#x27;9,000&#x27; lang po kami. By &#x27;end of this year&#x27;, &#x27;all 53,000 schools&#x27; ng DepEd, &#x27;naka-connect&#x27; na. So, malayo pa rin tayo sa &#x27;132&#x27;. &#x27;Next year&#x27;, we will &#x27;connect 28,000 health centers&#x27;.Malacanang has said that internet connectivity will allow people to access early weather warnings, apply for jobs, connect with family abroad, sell products online as well as access digital learning resources and global news.

The DICT said telco subscribers can expect "service level standards" under the Konektadong Pinoy Act.

The DICT said telco subscribers can expect "service level standards" under the Konektadong Pinoy Act.

Konektadong Pinoy Act to reduce internet downtime: DICT chief

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Konektadong Pinoy Act to reduce internet downtime: DICT chief

Arthur Fuentes,

ABS-CBN News

Published October 16, 2025 07:16 PM PHT

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Updated October 16, 2025 10:09 PM PHT

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DICT

Henry Aguda

Konektadong Pinoy

National Fiber Backbone

free WiFi

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