DOST begins implementation of free public Wi-Fi

The government’s much-awaited free Wi-Fi project was launched today, Friday, July 24, at opening of the annual National Science and Technology week (NSTW) at the SMX Convention Center.

 

Department of Science and Technology (DOST) officials said that the first areas to receive free access are:
 

 

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

 

Tentative testing

 

This "alpha launch" will enable the DOST to test the system's capabilities. The agency said it expects close to 5,000 simultaneous users but claims to have provided enough resources for up to 105,000.

 

Eacn user will have a data allocation of 50 MB per day. Users will still be able to access the free public Wi-Fi past this limit, but at a throttled-down speed. 

 

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