DOST to launch free public Wi-Fi on July 24

The government’s much-awaited free Wi-Fi project will be launched during the annual National Science and Technology week (NSTW) on July 24 at the SMX Convention Center, according to officials from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

 

In a press conference held Thursday, officials said that the first areas to receive access to the free public Wi-Fi will include the Quezon Memorial Circle, Quezon City Hall, the Philippine Coconut Authority (PHILCOA) Building, the Social Security System (SSS) and the Land Transportation Office (LTO) in Quezon City, and Rizal Park.

The free Wi-Fi will then be rolled out in stages to other locations nationwide.

 

Maximum speed and data cap

 

According to the DOST - Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO), the "alpha launch" of the project will help test the system and how it works. They’re expecting 4,550 users at the same time, but are prepared to provide service for 105,000 users just in case.

 

The earlier-announced maximum speed of 256 kbps per person has been upgraded: the DOST claims that each user will have access to high-speed Wi-Fi for up to 50 MB per day. However, past the 50 MB daily limit, users will still be able to access the public Wi-Fi but at a throttled-down speed. 

 

A caveat to the high-speed connection is that the more users there are in the area, the slower the Internet speed. There will also be a blacklist system to block potentially harmful websites.

 

Public-Private Partnership

 

The free Wi-Fi project is the result of a public-private partnership (PPP) between DOST-ICTO and industry members. According to DOST Undersecretary Louis Casambre, bidding for Internet service providers (ISPs) is now open, with potentially different ISPs per free Wi-Fi site.

 

The DOST-ICTO free Wi-Fi project is part of the larger “Juan, Konek!” Digital Empowerment Program which seeks to provide class 3, 4, 5, and 6 municipalities with Internet access. The Juan, Konek! program is aiming for 99% connectivity by the third quarter of 2015.

 

The NSTW will take place from 24-28 July at the SMX Convention Center. Admission is free. — TJD, GMA News