The Philippines implements #FreeWifi4All in Public Places program to provide localities with free internet. However, connecting far-flung villages pose a challenge due to geographic constraints.

This gap has birthed the Zamboanga-Basilan Broadband Network which maximizes existing systems to connect communities with no access to full-blown ICT infrastructure, such as Basilan; the largest and northernmost island of Sulu Archipelago in South-West Philippines with more than 500,000 population. To establish access points in the island, a backhaul link from its neighboring town Zamboanga City of 14-17 nautical miles distance was installed to connect Basilan.

The Project has successfully achieved the following:

Establish cost-efficient ICT infrastructure. The government spends approximately P200,000.00 (USD$ 4205.05) per Free Wifi site, while in this initiative the per-site cost was only P50,000.00 (USD$ 1040.42).

Empower communities with ICT. 33 sites now enjoy uninterrupted Free Wifi service. Prior to this project, Basilan is notably one of the 2 remaining provinces out of 81 provinces in the country, with no free internet provided by the Government.

Encourage the use of ICT. Due to mandated physical distancing, the free internet was utilized for education, crisis communications, hospitals, COVID19 isolation and referral centers, among others.

https://freepublicwifi.gov.ph/

• Basilan Province, Philippines

• Youth
• Older persons
• Women
• Indigenous and nomadic peoples
• People with disabilities
• The unemployed
• The poor
• Remote and rural communities

Currently, replicability of the project in other part of Basilan, particularly in municipality of Akbar, is now in the works. The Basilan Island Broadband Network was also proposed to replicate the project in remaining 11 municipalities of the province, thus enabling digitalization in the entire island.

Moreover, Philippines, being an archipelagic country, is composed of 7,640 islands. Of its 81 provinces, 16 are island provinces. This broadband network initiative can be replicated in other parts of the country where there are still no, if not minimal, access to internet due to geographic constraints.

While there are already 7,619 Free Wifi sites in the Philippines, these are located in only 15% of the cities and municipalities in the country as of date. Many more locations are yet to be given Free Wifi for all to be empowered with ICT. The installation of broadband network may fast track establishment of cost-efficient ICT infrastructure.

The Free Wifi in Public Places is mandated by Philippines Law thru the Republic Act 10929 (Free Wifi in Public Places Act), hence funding for the project goes beyond change of administration ensuring sustainability of implementation even for years to come.

This project is one with WSIS’ vision of Information Society for all. ICT offers multifaceted opportunities to the public, and as the government arm charged to shape an ICT-enabled community, it is our duty to promote the public’s access and utilization of ICT. With connectivity as nucleus of power for the information society, establishing broadband network in remote island provinces is key to its transformation and transition towards digitalization. Through the project, thousands of people have not only been made aware of the need for the internet but have also appreciated and utilized technology for various reasons ranging from health to education, crisis communication, employment, social connection, among others. This has helped us create an environment of collaborative and resourceful digital literate individuals which leverage ICT to improve their quality of life, regardless of gender, education, or background.