Philippines Lawmaker Proposes Deadline for Telecoms to Boost Internet Speed

Makati City, 2nd District – Makati City 2nd District Rep. Luis Campos Jr. has called on the government to set a firm deadline for telecommunication companies to enhance internet speeds across the Philippines. This follows a reported decline in the country’s mobile internet speed to an average of 32.12 Mbps, causing it to drop to 83rd place globally in Ookla’s May 2024 Speedtest Index.

According to Philippines News Agency, the necessity for this action stems from the telecommunications sector’s insufficient efforts to upgrade network capabilities. “Telecommunication companies are simply not doing enough to improve their networks,” Campos stated in a news release. He advocates for legislation that would enforce mandatory deadlines on these companies, under threat of substantial fines, to ensure faster internet services. Campos’ legislative proposal, House Bill No. 10215, aims to classify high-speed internet as a basic telecommunications service, thus mandating that the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) sets progressive minimum speed targets. Failure to meet these targets could result in penalties reaching up to PHP1 million per day.

The proposed changes are part of a broader initiative to boost public access to online resources, government services, education, and new opportunities. Despite the Philippines’ ranking improvement in the April 2024 Speedtest, where it was placed 79th with a speed of 32.37 Mbps, Campos emphasized the need for continual progress. Furthermore, in comparison with ASEAN neighbors, the Philippines ranks sixth, trailing countries like Brunei, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Thailand, which boast significantly higher speeds.