National broadband plan to be implemented by 2017

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Wednesday said it plans to implement a national broadband plan by next year, which is now currently in its last stages of finalization.

"By the end of this year, siguro it can be finalized and then implemented by next year," DICT Undersecretary Denis F. Villorente told reporters at the sidelines of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Philippine Business Conference and Expo in Pasay City.

In his inaugural speech on July 25, President Rodrigo R. Dutere ordered the DICT to develop a national broadband plan "to accelerate deployment of fiber optics" in the country.

According to the DICT website, the National Broadband Plan would "give everyone the chance to reap the advantages of high-speed internet."

"The National Broadband Plan will be formulated and expected to be adopted within the year through a multi-stakeholder process. This would address issues such as among others to 'Ensure affordable access to every community' and 'Improve broadband connectivity'," it said.

According to Villorente, it also plans to consult various stakeholders from both the government and the private sector for the broadband plan.

"Part of our plan is we will do consultation," he said, citing the Departments of Education, Transportation, and "other key departments."

Villorente said they will be talking with the private sector – PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. – to get their input. — VDS, GMA News