"Infrastructure limitation should mean one of the big disturbance in providing faster internet service to more Filipinos" a message from the two major telecommunications companies invited to a senate hearing on the issue in September 16, tuesday. PLDT Director Rey Espinosa said some P746 billion of capital outlay would be need to provide a minimum of 2 mbps internet speed for households all over the country.
"We have to take it into account how much that will cost in terms of investment,
while we might want to strive a minimum of 2 mbps for 80% of the household. The amount of the capital expenditure is just too high for the country and we are saying if we were to provide a minimum of 2 mbps to all regardless of social class, there is also a question of affordability." Rey Espinosa - PLDT Director
Telcos also insisted that there is no way to guarantee to get a minimum of 2 mpbs for internet speed for mobile devices since this would depend on the demand in particular area.
"For example you are going along Edsa and there is an accident and you clogged-up,
then the natural tendency to have the usage pattern to increase thereby creating a temporary hotspot."
- Manny Estrada/Globe Telecommunications Co.
Both Globe and PLDT say they see 100% 3G coverage throughout the country by the end of 2014. According to National Telecommunications Commission, 3G connection is currently at 60%. Senator Bam Aquino, Chairman of the Senate Committee for Trade Commerce and Entrepreneurship, believes that government should already step-in and spend to improve telecommunications infrastructure. He also -- on the big gap between the minimum and the maximum connection speed advertised by internet service providers or ISPs. Senator Aquino says, this is advantageous to consumers since their service expectations may not be me.
The NTC also explains it is currently unable to regulate internet service rate because internet is defined as a value added service by law. The commission though can regulate the quality of the service given the proper equipment. The NTC is eyeing the purchase of a P14 million machine to monitor internet speed in metro manila.
Ultimately, Sen. Aquino believes that improving internet service is a matter of national importance since it has a direct effect on the growth of the economy and the creation of jobs.
"I will have to admit, this could not happen if we experience good internet service,this is the time when
the government should step-in authority." - Sen. Bam Aquino
Aside from improvement in infrastructure, other proposals discussed in the committee hearing including encouraging more competition in the ISP Industry and exploring systems that will make internet traffic more efficient in the country.
Acknowledgement:
Content Credit: ANC/Atom Araullo
Image Credit: Mabzicle.com
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