Philippine fiber project up and running in H1 2023, says DICT

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) targets to activate its fiber connectivity project by the first half and roll out more free WiFi sites across the country amid the increasing digitalization of the economy.

Information and Communication Undersecretary Anna Mae Lamentillo, in a Laging Handa briefing on Wednesday, said they were ramping up the country’s digital infrastructure through programs and projects set for the year.

Among them is the Luzon Bypass Infrastructure project phase 1, which is slated for completion by June. The 240-kilometer fiber line will link the cable landing stations in Baler, Aurora and Poro Point, La Union.

The DICT is also targeting to set up free WiFi sites in 9,762 public spaces and 162 state universities, colleges and Technical Education And Skills Development Authority institutions.

Other initiatives include the construction of two more data centers for the National Government Data Center.

Lamentillo said the Philippines had met with several countries for knowledge-sharing initiatives and other projects to improve the digital infrastructure and cybersecurity measures. These include the US, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Thailand, Malaysia and Brunei.

“Cyberspace and digitalization are borderless; that’s why it is important for countries to work together to maximize the benefits of the technology and to address challenges that come with digitalization,” she said.

Earlier this month, DICT chief Ivan John Uy signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) through Minister Jin Zhuanglong to enhance digital cooperation.

Under this MoU, the countries will exchange knowledge, technical expertise and best practices on AI, 5G, cloud computing, big data, Internet of things and other emerging technologies.

The cooperation also covers support for the telecommunication industry, which has seen continuous growth in the advent of increasing digital adoption.

“The signing of [MoU] between DICT and China’s MIIT is foremost an affirmation of our respective nation’s desire to continue to deepen our existing bilateral relations and to promote useful exchanges in the areas of digital and ICT cooperation,” Uy said earlier.