In the 2014 Global Information Technology Report (GITR) published by the World Economic Forum, the Philippines jumped eight places in the world ranking for “networked readiness.”
From 86th out of 144 countries in 2013 to 78th out of 148 this year, the Philippines shows a better propensity for utilizing information and communications technology (ICT) to foster innovation and boost economic and social growth.
According to the report released on April 24, the Philippines improved most on ICT readiness, largely due to more affordable access to ICT infrastructure based on prepaid mobile cellular tariffs, fixed broadband Internet tariffs, affordability, and Internet and telephone competition.
This positive trend, however, is yet to be felt by consumers. Internet services in the country is not only expensive; it is also in a deplorable state.
In a May 28 hearing by the Senate Committee on Trade, Commerce and Entrepreneurship, Chair Bam Aquino said that, on average, Filipino consumers spend P1,000 a month for Internet with speeds of around tw0 megabits per second (Mbps). By contrast, 15 Mbps is offered for $SGD36.9 or about P1,312 a month in Singapore. In Thailand, 12 Mbps costs ฿THB799 or P1,100 a month.
Despite the apparent improvement in affordability, the Philippines still has a long way to go on cutting back costs. What the country needs to do now is to avoid peeling back service quality along with the price tag.
However, it seems that Internet service providers (ISPs) in the country have taken the shortcut to cost-efficiency. In an interview with Rappler, Asian Development Bank’s Principal Information Technology specialist Pierre Passin explained that ISPs tend to accept subscriptions that require way more bandwidth than their systems are designed to take. instead of allocating the indicated Internet speed to their subscribers, ISPs have “a big pool of bandwidth” from which subscribers share. This is why Internet speeds become slow whenever there are more people online at the same time.
During the said committee hearing, senators targeted the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and telecommunication giants Smart and Globe about the Internet service that they provide.
NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba said telecommunication companies in Singapore receive government subsidies. Moreover, Globe legal counsel Vicente Castelo argued that legislation in the country was suffocating, especially in the local government where it is difficult to get permits for building cell sites. Smart Public Affairs Head Ramon Isberto added that a viable business model must be developed to address Internet speed.
Nonetheless, if the Philippines wants Internet speeds that can better cater its citizenship—which ranks 22nd in its use of virtual social networks—it will take more than just the cooperation of one sector. The government needs to work hand in hand with private companies and consumers. We cannot demand something from the government without adjusting as well. The Philippines is ready, but we need to act.
While the Internet is only one aspect of ICT improvement, it has a potential to open up various opportunities for the country. During the recent Typhoon Yolanda, we saw what hashtags and status updates can do. When news of the flesh-eating disease in Pangasinan broke, albeit proven a hoax, we saw the power of online media. The cloud system allows us to expand beyond our own networks in ways that are more convenient and effective.
If we want to be in sync with the rest of the world, it is important for us to envision the future of our country with competent ICT goals in mind. That is, to make sure that all our available technologies are accessible to the people who need them. After all, fast and efficient communication is key to thriving in the 21st century.
We must not think twice when it comes to acting to make information and communications as available as possible. It is high time that we use this potential to drive our country toward economic and social gain. At this point, communication should not be the problem; it should be a solution.
