The purchasing power of the average Filipino has significantly decreased in recent years, with the Philippine Statistics Authority reporting in September that the value of one peso in 2018 is now only worth P0.83. As a result, many Filipinos are forced to make difficult trade-offs in their household spending, with internet access often taking a backseat to more immediate essentials like groceries or education.
In response to this, internet service providers, including leading fiber broadband company Converge ICT Solutions Inc., are looking for ways to offer affordable, reliable internet options. Enter Surf2Sawa (S2S) — a prepaid fiber broadband product launched in 2022 to provide low-income and underserved Filipinos with affordable, high-quality internet access.
According to Dennis Anthony Uy, CEO and co-founder of Converge, Surf2Sawa was designed with the mission of serving those who have been left behind by traditional internet services. “With the high prices of goods today, some people trade off internet connection for, say, their child’s schooling or a week’s groceries,” Uy explained. “We came up with this product so they don’t have to face that trade-off. They get to enjoy a reliable, high-capacity broadband connection and still buy their essentials.”
For many in the D-market — particularly those in lower-income households — affordability is key. Surf2Sawa is designed to be a triple threat: “Unli, mura, walang kontrata!” (Unlimited data, cheap, no tied contracts), as described by Conrado “Dhing” Pascual, vice president of product management at Converge. And it seems the product is resonating with consumers: by the end of September 2024, Surf2Sawa had gained over 242,000 subscribers — more than double its subscriber count from the previous year.
The product’s success is largely attributed to its affordability and reliability. “What’s great about S2S is it’s affordable – it’s easy on the wallet so it’s really suitable for the masses,” said Liezel Adaya, a dealer from Batangas. “Since it’s fiber-based, the internet connection is stable, which is exactly what customers are looking for.”
In addition to providing affordable broadband, Converge has developed a unique approach to selling its product, which includes creating jobs and fostering community engagement in low-income areas. The company’s high-energy Barangay S2S events bring a festive atmosphere to local neighborhoods, featuring free services, games, and entertainment to spread the message of Surf2Sawa to even the most remote communities. The company also organizes Sugod Barangays, where residents win free internet connections through fun, variety-show-style events livestreamed on Facebook.
For Converge, this innovative approach to connecting the underserved population goes beyond business — it’s about building long-term relationships with communities. “Leave No One Behind” is the company’s guiding philosophy, and as Surf2Sawa continues to grow, it’s clear that the initiative is turning this aspiration into reality.
As prepaid fiber broadband continues to make inroads into low-income households, the potential for Surf2Sawa to become a nationwide product is on the horizon, bringing affordable, high-quality internet access to even more Filipinos. For Converge, this is just the beginning — an essential step toward bridging the connectivity gap in a country where access to reliable internet has been a longstanding challenge.
