The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) disclosed that it has seen an improvement in the internet service of the Philippines.
In a briefing, NTC Deputy Commissioner Edgardo Cabarios stated that the internet connectivity of the country has slightly been upgraded following the directive of President Rodrigo R. Duterte to the telecommunication companies to improve their services.
NTC Deputy Comm. Cabarios revealed that before the President’s directive, the average speed of the internet connection was around 25 mbps. It has increased to 28.69 mbps in November 2020.
Cabarios explained that the internet speed of the country will be stronger once more towers have been erected.
“Dapat lakihan ang investment sa access sa networks natin. 80,000 po kasi ang cell sites [sa Vietnam], sa atin ay 22,500 (The investment on the access in our networks must be bigger. Vietnam has 80,000 cell sites while we only have 22,500).”
Moreover, the NTC is looking into increasing the penalty of the telcos that are not complying with the directive of the President. The proposal has already been filed with the House of Representatives and Senate.
“The reason why humihiling kami sa Kongreso, na kung pwede taasan yung penalty, ;’yung masasaktan sila, kasi yung 200 pesos per day hindi masasaktan diyan yung ating mga telco. (The reason why we are asking Congress to increase the penalty is that the telcos cannot be hurt by only ₱200 per day.)” – Report from Kenneth Paciente