DICT aims to double free Wi-Fi sites in 2024

The Department of Information and Communications Technology plans to double the number of free Wi-Fi sites in the country this year, an official said Wednesday.

There were around 25,000 free Wi-Fi sites before the end of 2023, according to DICT Undersecretary David Almirol Jr.

Increasing the number of free Wi-Fi sites, Almirol said, will boost the government's e-LGU program, which streamlines or simplifies the processing of business licenses, occupancy permits, and other permits through digitalization.

“I think planong doblehin iyong number ng free Wi-Fi especially sa mga LGUs (local government units) na nangangailangan talaga ng connectivity para ma-implement din po itong tinatawag na e-LGU,” Almirol said at a press briefing in Malacañang.

(I think there's a plan to double the number of free Wi-Fi sites, especially in LGUs that need connectivity, so that we can implement the e-LGU program.)

“In fact, ang part ng effort din po ng DICT ay habang nag-i-implement ang DILG at DICT at ARTA [Anti-Red Tape Authority] ng e-LGU, kailangan samahan na rin ng connectivity, kailangan magsasabay siya para parallel iyong effort, " he added.

(In fact, when the DILG (Department of the Interior and Local Government), DICT, and ARTA (Anti-Red Tape Authority) implement the e-LGU program, there should be connectivity, so the efforts will be simultaneous and parallel.)

The Marcos administration’s Broadband ng Masa Program (BBMP) aims to provide internet connectivity in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas across the country. — VBL, GMA Integrated News