Reliable, affordable, consistent connectivity sought for Filipinos

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Philstar.com

February 5, 2026 | 5:15pm

MANILA, Philippines — Information and Communications Technology Sec. Henry Aguda declared that the country has largely solved the problem of internet speed, but the bigger challenge today is ensuring reliable, consistent, and affordable connectivity for every Filipino.

Speaking at the Telco Summit 2026, Aguda emphasized that connectivity has become a core national infrastructure that determines economic growth, job creation, and social inclusion. He credited reforms and cooperation with the private sector for recent gains, yet warned that the Philippines must move faster to catch up with regional neighbors.

Aguda told industry leaders, local officials and telecom executives that connectivity should no longer be viewed as a mere technology concern but as a fundamental economic driver. 

“It is an economic issue, a job issue, and an inclusion issue. At higit sa lahat, it is about the future we want for the Philippines,” he said, stressing that investment decisions, education, and government services now depend heavily on the quality of digital infrastructure.

The DICT chief acknowledged that significant improvements have been achieved in internet speed, citing his personal experiences of reaching 200 Mbps in Cebu and over 400 Mbps on a 5G connection in Metro Manila. 

These developments, he said, show that speed is no longer the country’s main bottleneck. 

“So yung speed siguro hindi na problema. Ang kailangan na lang nating gawin, consistency of connection. Kailangan nating mas stable,” Aguda explained, pointing to the urgent need for more cell sites and expanded network infrastructure.

He also welcomed the reduction in mobile data costs, noting that operators lowered the average price per megabyte by 17% last year. 

Meanwhile, the DICT chief thanked Globe, Smart, PLDT, DITO and Converge for responding to the administration’s call to make services more affordable and to expand coverage even in previously unserved areas. 

“Hindi lang po ito aksidente. These gains came from reforms, investments, and partnerships,” he said.

Despite the progress, Aguda admitted that the Philippines still trails several ASEAN neighbors in speed, affordability, and coverage. The country has improved its ranking from ninth to between sixth and seventh in regional benchmarks, but the President’s target is far more ambitious. 

“Kung hindi man tayo number one, nasa number two dapat tayo bago matapos ang termino,” he said, underscoring the long road ahead.

He highlighted the persistent digital divide within the country, particularly between urban and rural areas. In Metro Manila, nearly seven out of ten households have internet access, while in many parts of Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao, only three to four out of 10 are connected. 

“Hindi lang ito digital divide, ito ay opportunity divide,” Aguda warned, noting that lack of connectivity deprives communities of online education, digital jobs, e-commerce, and basic government services.

To address these gaps, Aguda cited the administration’s flagship initiatives — Konektadong Pinoy and the National Digital Connectivity Plan (NDCP) — which he described as the country’s first comprehensive digital infrastructure master plan. The NDCP, recently approved by the President, is an 11-year roadmap requiring an estimated PHP6 trillion in investments and anchored on four pillars: better governance, expanded infrastructure, meaningful access, and stronger resilience.

“Konektadong Pinoy is not just a program, ito po’y isang reforma,” Aguda said, explaining that the initiative streamlines permits, reduces red tape, promotes infrastructure sharing, and encourages more market players. 

These reforms, he added, could raise the telecom sector’s contribution to GDP by as much as 1.1% and help the Philippines reach Malaysia’s level of connectivity.

Aguda called for a “digital bayanihan” among government, telcos, investors, and local communities to bring signal to “every nook and cranny, dagat man o bundok.” 

He assured the private sector of policy stability and faster regulatory processes, describing the effort as a partnership for national development.

“When connectivity expands, markets expand. When access improves, demand grows. When networks are resilient, confidence flows,” Aguda said, adding that the country’s digital transformation must be structural, long-term, and felt by every Filipino. (Contributed story)