Free Wi-Fi reaches Isabela city village, 68 other remote areas

The “Free Wi-Fi for All” project of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is launched at the village of Sipay in the City of Ilagan, Isabela province. The village was among 69 pilot areas for the project. VILLAMOR VISAYA JR.

CITY OF ILAGAN—The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Thursday (March 5) launched a free Wi-Fi project in one of its pilot areas here.

Residents of the village of Sipay witnessed the switch-on ceremony for the project, which the DICT was launching with the help of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) and local government units.

According to project proponents, the launch was done simultaneously in other pilot areas in the provinces of Isabela, Albay, Palawan and Lanao del Sur and Davao City.

The launch was successful despite some minor interconnection glitches that were fixed during the ceremony.

Titograd Mitra, resident representative of UNDP Philippine Country Office, said proponents had committed to set up at least 10,000 free Wi-Fi spots in the country in 2020.

The free Wi-Fi will have a maximum of connection speed up to 40 megabits per access point.

The DICT had pledged to put up 3,500 Wi-Fi facilities across the country under the “Free Wi-Fi for All” program, which will cater to a million users.

The department targets 3,000 more free Wi-Fi spots in June and another 3,000 before December.

Councilor Jayve Diaz, who represented Mayor Josemarie Diaz of Ilagan City, said the free WiFi connection would be of “big help” to students, teachers, small traders and farmers in remote areas.

“Having remote areas as recipients of these free Wi-Fi connections will further help our communities to achieve Internet-connected urban areas,” Diaz said.

He said through free Wi-Fi, villagers can immediately post their produce for sale online, advertise products or link up with friends, relatives and clients.

Edited by TSB