The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has teamed up with ComClark Network and Technology Corp. to provide digital connectivity to more than 2,000 geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) across the country.
“The Free Public Internet Access Program, under the Broadband ng Masa Initiative, seeks to bridge the digital divide and connect Filipinos to limitless opportunities the digital economy offers,” DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said.
“Our collaboration with ComClark for the UISG Project exemplifies our dedication to turning this vision into reality. We are committed to ensuring that the benefits of the digital revolution reach every corner of our nation.,” he added.
At the core of the Universal Internet Subscription for GIDA (UISG) Project is the deployment of fixed VSATs (satellite communications), fiber technology, and satellite-communications-on-the-move terminals to more than 2,000 areas identified as socially and economically disadvantaged. This will greatly aid the DICT in assisting other government agencies and LGUs with their connectivity needs during calamities.
“We are honored to be in close partnership with the DICT in this nationwide effort to bring connectivity to the farthest reaches of the country,” Benedicto Bulatao, ComClark chief operations officer president, said
Bulatao also said 145 gigabits (MIR) bandwidth capacity was allocated for the mixed-technology project.
“It is no secret that the archipelagic and widely varying terrain of the Philippines poses a significant challenge to the provision of internet connectivity to all. This is why the DICT engages with capable and reliable service providers, such as Converge, so everyone gets the best possible service, regardless of where they are,” DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey Ian Dy said.
A variety of technologies will be used, appropriately matched to the areas for deployment. For areas with viable geographical terrain, fiber-enabled access points will be established. These fiber-enabled access points number around 1,400. Hilly and mountainous areas will be serviced with fixed VSATs, which can be distributed to far-flung and isolated communities nationwide to provide satellite-enabled connectivity.
In addition, 34 SatCom on the Satellite-on-the-Move terminals will also be deployed for this project. These are powerful and highly portable antennas that can be hooked up to moving vehicles, either automobiles or watercraft, making them ideal for augmenting disaster and emergency response. Thirty-four of these units, which come with a carry-on case and a generator set, were recently handed over to DICT for distribution to their regional offices.
The UISG Project, through engagements with an assortment of connectivity providers, tracks a total 4,741 active sites in 1,871 locations, providing connectivity across all 17 regions of the country. To date, these access points have already allowed the public to consume a total of 806TB of internet data.
The supply of these managed services between DICT and ComClark is a project implemented with We Are IT Philippines, Inc. and Telered Technologies and Services Corp. Ninety-seven percent of the sites have already been activated and accepted and are expected to be completed by the end of this year.
