The Department of Information and Communications Technology said it expects to provide free Internet access to more than 100,000 public sites by 2022.
“By 2022, we aim to have provided free Wi-Fi in approximately 104,000 public sites through different strategies such as partnership with the private sector and tapping satellite broadband services, among others,” DICT Secretary Gregorio Honasan II said.
The DICT teamed up with San Juan City for the rollout of 35 Internet hotspots with 400 Mbps bandwidth through DICT’s Free Wi-Fi for All program.
Residents of San Juan can now avail of free Wi-Fi in hotspots in thirty-five sites for the initial phase of the rollout, covering public schools, hospitals, parks and other similar and strategic areas within the city.
The agency said of more than a hundred total Wi-Fi sites marked throughout 18 barangays indicated in the partnership, three of these sites were already operational at San Juan City Hall, San Juan Library and San Juan Mini Park.
“Pursuant to RA 10929 and the president’s marching order, we are strengthening our efforts in the roll-out of the program through partnerships with LGUs such as here in San Juan,” Honasan said.
“We are looking forward to installing more Wi-Fi sites not just here in San Juan but in many more cities and municipalities of the country in the coming years,” he said.
San Juan Mayor Francis Zamora said all public places in barangay would have free Wi-Fi access.
“Our barangay halls, multi-purpose halls, basketball courts, barangay health centers, and our public schools will be connected,” Zamora said.
“It is a great honor as we are the pilot city in the entire country to enjoy encompassing access to Free Wi-Fi for All,” he said.
The Free Wi-Fi for All Program, in pursuit of Republic Act No. 10929 or the “Free Public Internet Access Act” targets to establish more than 100,000 operational free Internet access sites all over the Philippines by 2022
