PCCI, Better Internet PH team up to press policies for better broadband connectivity
THE PHILIPPINE Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) has teamed up with advocacy coalition Better Internet PH to press the incoming 19th Congress to pursue legislation that will improve broadband connectivity in the country.
“We have been laggards behind our ASEAN neighbors for the longest time in terms of better internet and we should prioritize legislation that will improve our overall connectivity,” PCCI President George T. Barcelon said in a statement on Monday.
According to the PCCI, the partnership will lobby for measures related to improving the country’s internet access such as the Open Access in Data Transmission Act, Rural Wired Development Act, Satellite Liberalization Act, and Spectrum Management Act.
“Better internet will have profound impacts on the government, economy, tourism, education, and many other sectors as it will induce more foreign direct investments,” he added.
Grace Mirandilla-Santos, Better Internet PH lead information and communications technology policy analyst, said they want to update the country’s policies concerning internet service providers (ISPs).
“The Philippines is the lone country in the world that still requires prospective ISPs congressional franchise to provide data transmission services,” Ms. Mirandilla-Santos said.
“We want to update policies to make it easier for ISPs to build digital infrastructure. Technology will overtake regulation, therefore our policies should be future-proof,” she added. — Revin Mikhael D. Ochave
