Poe urges telco sector to take ‘bold steps’ to reliable internet connection

MANILA, Philippines — “Bold steps” by the telecommunication sector are needed to provide Filipinos with reliable internet connection amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Senator Grace Poe said Monday.

Poe, who chairs the Senate committee on public services, said this as her panel is set to conduct an online hearing on Wednesday, July 1 to look into the state of internet connectivity in the country affecting all sectors and the efforts of government and private sector to make the web for everyone.

“Big, bold steps are needed in the telecoms industry to give the Filipinos reliable and fast connection,” Poe said in a statement.

“We have seen how access to the internet has been put on similar footing as other basic services during this pandemic, becoming a lifesaver for many people around the world,” she added.

The senator noted that the government must lead the way to encourage investments in network infrastructure to boost competition, improve service, and bring down costs for users.

The hearing will tackle Senate Resolution No. 435 that seeks legislative inquiry on availability and accessibility of cell sites providing the bandwidth for internet connectivity across the country and Senate Bill No. 471 that proposes to require internet service providers to deliver a minimum standard for internet connection speed.

Officials from the Department of Information and Communications Technology, National Telecommunications Commission, concerned government agencies, telcos, internet providers, and other affected sectors are expected to attend the online hearing.

“No one must be offline and left behind amid the pandemic,” Poe said.

The senator earlier filed Senate Resolution No. 456, asking the Executive department to provide internet allowance to public school elementary and high school teachers for the duration of the online class.

EDV