DICT

The DICT targets to install a total of 8,073 operational live sites for the year 2019.

But the DICT has been under fire from lawmakers who have criticized the slow roll-out of free Internet in public areas around the country, particularly in state universities and colleges (SUCs).

The partnership will be called ‘Isoc edotco Towers, Inc.’ and will see both partners businesses bringing their operational expertise and technological capabilities.

The DICT said it will focus on acquiring baseline data for the next three years before launching new major programs including cybersecurity.

Newly confirmed DICT secretary Gregorio Honasan said the next 18 months will be crucial for the DICT to set the course of the Digital Philippines vision.

Felino O. Castro V was designated as assistant secretary for the National Broadband Plan Backbone and Free Wi-Fi Internet Access in Public Places by DICT secretary Gregorio Honasan through Department Order No. 008 signed last July 19, 2019.

The move will allow the broadband firm to go into the 5G space and expand nationwide.

The 184 inhabitants of the 37.2-hectare island west of Puerto Princesa City in Palawan are now able to use the Internet.

DICT secretary Gregorio Honasan II said the proposed common tower policy must be sustainable in order to achieve the government’s target of building 50,000 telecommunication towers for the improvement of country’s connectivity.

Sen. Ralph Recto cited the DICT for deploying what he called a "SWAT or Special Wi-Fi Access Team" to earthquake-hit Batanes, which enabled residents to call worried relatives and rescuers to synchronize their work.