Duterte signs law giving free internet access in public places

(Stock photo from INQUIRER.net)

President Rodrigo Duterte signed into law on Wednesday the Free Internet Access in Public Places Act (Republic Act 10929).

The law would allow the public to get free internet access in the following areas:

• national and local government offices
• public basic education institutions
• state universities and colleges
• technology institutions
• public hospitals, health centers, and rural health units
• public parks, plazas, libraries and barangay reading centers
• public airports and seaports
• public transport terminals

The law, however, prohibits access to pornographic websites.

It said minimum internet speed per user should be two megabits per second (2 Mbps) or as prescribed by the National Broadband Plan.

It added that The law provides that no will shall be collected from users to connect to the public internet access points.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) will be the lead agency to oversee the effective and efficient implementation of the law. /atm