The allocation for the Free Wi-Fi for All program has been tripled to PHP7.5 billion under the 2025 national budget, paving the way for the expansion of public internet hotspots nationwide, particularly in remote areas.
In a statement on Tuesday, Makati City 2nd District Rep. Luis Campos Jr., vice chairperson of the House Committee on Appropriations, highlighted that the increased funding would help establish up to 50,000 Wi-Fi hotspots across the country. The aim is to provide password-free internet access, with a focus on geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.
“We are counting on the expansion of free Wi-Fi hotspots to improve public access to online learning and distance education,” Campos said, emphasizing the program’s potential to aid in the educational advancement of Filipinos, especially in rural communities.
Campos also noted that the free Wi-Fi initiative would help Filipinos access vital online resources, including government-run skills training services, which could lead to better employment and livelihood opportunities.
In addition, Campos reiterated his support for House Bill 10215, which seeks to classify high-speed internet as a basic telecommunications service. This bill would empower the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to set minimum mobile internet speed targets for telecommunications companies, with penalties for non-compliance of up to PHP1 million per day.
“We need faster mobile internet speeds to boost productivity. Slow internet speeds result in productivity loss,” Campos stated.
According to the December 2024 Global Speedtest Index report by Ookla, the Philippines’ average mobile internet speed of 36.36 megabits per second (Mbps) lags behind several Southeast Asian countries, including Thailand (65.47 Mbps), Vietnam (86.96 Mbps), Malaysia (105.36 Mbps), and Singapore (129.13 Mbps).
