The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is accelerating its National Fiber Backbone project, aiming for completion by 2026. This ambitious timeline comes thanks to a recent $287 million loan from the World Bank.
“We expect Phases 2 and 3 to be finished by next year,” said DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy at the Fiber Connect APAC Conference 2024. These phases will prioritize Southern Luzon, Visayas, and parts of Mindanao, significantly boosting internet access for government agencies and local communities.
Boosting Connectivity and Lowering Prices
Phase 1, already operational, delivers high-speed internet to 14 Luzon provinces. Uy emphasized the project’s potential to transform the economy, “Once completed, internet prices can go down, further fueling growth.”
Fiber Optic: The Future of Connectivity
Organizers and industry players at the conference lauded the shift towards fiber optic technology. Compared to traditional copper cables, fiber offers lower latency, higher bandwidth, and improved reliability. This paves the way for advancements in smart cities, artificial intelligence, and data center capabilities.
Telcos Invest in the Fiber Future
Telecommunication companies like Converge are also heavily invested in expanding their fiber networks. “Fiber is a more sustainable option with lower power consumption and better resilience,” said Paulo Martin Santos, Chief Network Transformation Officer at Converge.
