DICT begins rollout of final phases of Nat’l Fiber Backbone

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Tuesday announced it has begun the rollout of the final phases of the National Fiber Backbone (NFB), under the P16.1-billion Philippine Digital Infrastructure Project, in Butuan City.

In a news release, DICT Secretary Henry Aguda spearheaded the launch of the Phase 4 and 5 of the NFB —adding over 1,000 kilometers of high-speed, government-owned fiber network to connect key Mindanao cities such as Butuan, Cagayan de Oro, Bukidnon, Zamboanga, and Davao.

Phase 1 of the project, completed in April last year, covered 1,245 kilometers of fiber connecting Ilocos Norte to Quezon City; while the Phases 2 and 3, launched in July, will add about 1,800 kilometers covering Regions II, IV-A, V, VIII, X, and XI.

Aguda said the Phase 4 and 5 of the backbone will initially serve government offices, state universities, local government units, and hospitals, and will eventually extend connectivity to every barangay.

“Mindanao will no longer be the last to connect; it will be among the first to lead,” said the DICT chief.

“This is the start of inclusive development,  digital equity, digital justice, and digital empowerment,” said Aguda.

The DICT chief noted that the project will translate to faster, more reliable, and more affordable internet across Mindanao. 

He also stressed that the rollout will position Butuan as the “digital gateway of Mindanao”, attracting investments in data centers, technology hubs, and rural business process outsourcing (BPO) facilities. — Ted Cordero/RF, GMA Integrated News