THE Philippines has jumped to number 12 as the country with the highest number of Internet users, according to a Makati City lawmaker.
Rep. Luis Campos Jr. said that, based on the Internet World Statistics’ latest ranking of the top 20 countries with the most number of internet users, 67-million Filipinos are now browsing the web, translating to a penetration rate of 63 percent of the population.
The Philippines moved up from number 15 a year ago with 54-million users, or a penetration rate of 52 percent of the population, he said.
Because of the high number of Internet users in the country, he urged his fellow lawmakers to pass House Bill 5337 seeking to categorize broadband or high-speed internet access as a “basic telecommunications service” subject to direct state regulatory supervision.
“We have to pigeon-hole broadband as a basic service to assure Filipinos of superior Internet services and faster connection speeds countrywide,” Campos said.
Under the bill, once broadband service is classified as a basic service, the National Telecommunications Commission could compel suppliers to upgrade their networks so they could deliver a faster connection speed within a fixed deadline.
“We have to give the NTC the muscle to effectively protect and advance the rights and welfare of Internet users,” Campos said.