Where’s the fastest internet? PH soon to rate services in cafes, hotels

MANILA  –The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is eyeing to standardize internet quality in public and private establishments by grading services in terms of speed, accessibility, availability and security.

On Thursday, the DICT and the country’s biggest internet service providers and telecommunication players—PLDT Inc., Globe Telecom, DITO Telecommunity and Converge ICT Solutions Inc.—inked a memorandum of understanding to establish a Connectivity Index Rating.

The rating system, with five as the highest mark according to an initial proposal, seeks to measure indoor internet experience quality in locations with high traffic like airports, malls, hotels and restaurants.

With a benchmark in place, the government and telco players will be able to identify and address the needs of areas with poor connectivity.

A technical working group will be created to thresh out the details of the rating system. DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy, in a briefing in Quezon City, said the first report was being targeted for release before the end of the year.

“The Connectivity Index Rating is also seen to push businesses to innovate and invest in quality connectivity solutions that will, among others, increase brand recognition and expand their customer base,” Uy said. He explained this could also support tourism activities as travelers require connectivity.

Globe Group president and CEO Ernest Cu said this initiative would allow customers to immediately give feedback about their internet connectivity experience, which would “ultimately redound to improving overall internet service in the country.”

Converge CEO and cofounder Dennis Anthony Uy said the benchmark would “effectively inject transparency into the internet readiness of public spaces and push property owners to improve their digital infrastructure as required by their users.”

DITO Telecommunity chief administrative officer Adel Tamano stressed the need for collaboration between the government and the private sector in digitalization efforts.

“This initiative is aligned with the PLDT Group’s commitment to ensure the highest possible quality of internet and connectivity service for all Filipinos, as well as support the government’s thrust to digitally transform the Philippines,” PLDT and Smart president and CEO Alfredo Panlilio said.

The project signing comes on the heels of the enactment of Executive Order (EO) 32, which streamlines the permitting process for internet and telecommunications infrastructure.

The telcos said the EO would speed up construction of towers and other critical network components to improve connectivity.