Internet connection in Philippines: NTC asked to set speed parameters

CEBU, Philippines – As the Cebu City Council clamored for improved internet service in the Philippines, the Provincial Board also requested the National Telecommunications Commission to formulate standard parameters and thresholds regarding internet speed to address the slow internet connection in the country.

The legislative body noted that there have been “countless” complaints from all sectors regarding the Philippines’ snail-paced internet speed.

“Such has been a source of daily frustration to each Filipino who is merely trying to make a quick online transaction or sending an important message via e-mail and other modern necessities,” read part of the PB’s resolution sponsored by Board Member Arleigh Sitoy.

The May 2015 survey of Ookla Speedtest,  a global leader in broadband testing and network diagnostic applications, revealed that Philippines has one of the slowest average broadband speeds across the globe.

The country was ranked as 176th out of 202 countries in terms of upload speed with 1.53 megabits per second (mbps), which is significantly lower than the global average of 10.59 mbps, said Cebu City Councilor Nestor Archival Sr. in his recent privilege speech during the council’s session last week.

The PB also reported that household download speed in the Philippines was 3.64 mbps compared to that of Singapore which is 122.43 mbps.

Yet the cost per mbps in the country is reportedly one of the most expensive with an average value of $18.18 (around P800).

“Since the Internet was first introduced, it has become a necessity in the modern world and is used in connecting the world with each click. Just like other necessities, the Internet should be given standard parameters as well as a standard threshold to address the snail-paced internet we are suffering from today,” the PB suggested.

The PB’s call was made in pursuant to section 16 of the Local Government Code of the Philippines which mandates local government units to support the development of appropriate and self-reliant scientific and technological capabilities, and “preserve the comfort and convenience of their inhabitants,” among others.

“Premises considered, this august body finds it necessary to request NTC to heed the call of not only Cebuanos but all Filipinos to improve the conditions of our internet speed by providing a standard threshold that would compete with that of Singapore,” the body added. — /BRP (FREEMAN)