HB22 - AN ACT PROVIDING FOR CHEAPER AND MORE ACCESSIBLE INTERNET FOR ALL

To say that access to the internet plays a crucial role in driving innovation, promoting social development, and supporting economic growth now borders on the cliché. The stability and availability of internet services are undeniably essential for enhancing both government operations and private sector efficiency, contributing significantly to the effective delivery of services. This was most evident during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the nation became heavily reliant on internet connectivity for daily activities. Even in 2022, many sectors, particularly education and the workforce, continue to rely on work-from-home arrangements, underscoring the need for reliable and uninterrupted internet access. Despite this, several obstacles continue to hinder the average Filipino's access to affordable and dependable internet services. Chief among these challenges is the limited number of internet service providers in the country, resulting in demand surpassing supply. Consequently, internet subscription plans remain costly and often offer subpar speeds. Although certain policy and institutional measures have already been implemented to address these issues, there remains a pressing need to further enhance such efforts to ensure that all Filipinos-especially those in unserved and underserved areas-can access affordable internet services. At present, however, the government imposes substantial spectrum user fees (SUF) on telecommunications companies utilizing Wi-Fi technologies, despite the principle that SUFs should only apply to operators using exclusively licensed frequencies granted by the government. This regulatory approach hampers telcos from offering more competitive rates or reducing the cost of internet subscriptions. While the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has attempted to address the matter through the issuance of Memorandum Circular No. 002-09-2021 on September 22, 2021-which lowered SUFs for certain radio frequency bands-current market realities suggest that the complete removal of SUFs for WiFi is necessary to further liberalize internet access in the country. The proposed measure seeks to align Philippine regulatory policy with international best practices, particularly those recommended by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) ofthe United Nations, which advocates for a zero SUF policy on Wi-Fi. Notably, countries such as the United States, Australia, Singapore, South Korea, and Indonesia have already adopted this approach. Enacting this measure into law would thus position the Philippines alongside global leaders in fostering equitable and expansive internet connectivity. Continue reading here: https://docs.congress.hrep.online/legisdocs/basic_20/HB00022.pdf https://www.congress.gov.ph/house-members/view/?member=K053&name=Matibag%2C+Ma.+Rene+Ann+Lourdes+G.

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