DICT undersecretary Jeffrey Ian Dy revealed ongoing discussions with a Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite provider, which could provide 200Mbps internet to 10,000 schools for P1.5 billion annually under a long-term contract.
This shift comes as DICT reassesses its P6.5 billion annual spending on the current Free Wi-Fi setup, looking for more cost-effective and scalable alternatives.
“The current approach to the free wi-Fi program requires reevaluation and restructuring. We are spending approximately ₱6.5 billion annually to provide internet access to more than 7,000 locations,” Dy said in a statement.
The statement was issued days after the resignation of Secretary Ivan Uy.
Beyond schools, 40,000 locations have been identified for multicasting educational content, improving digital learning nationwide.
Meanwhile, the P5 billion SIM Card ng Bayan Project is set to support telco expansion by subsidizing mobile infrastructure and offering free 25GB internet to students near newly built cell sites.
