By David Vera
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has successfully installed 1, 048 free Wi-Fi access points in public spaces across Eastern Visayas, with a strong focus on reaching remote and underserved areas.
During the Kapihan sa Bagong Pilipinas on Tuesday, Dante Rosales, chief of the DICT 8 technical operations division, highlighted that the number of installed Wi-Fi sites has increased fourfold since 2023. This expansion, backed by a PHP120 million funding from the House of Representatives, represents a significant leap forward in the government’s ongoing efforts to improve internet access in the region.
“The program has had a transformative impact on communities that previously lacked internet access. By connecting people to education, government services, economic opportunities, health information, and social networks, it has bridged the gap between rural and urban areas, allowing these communities to participate more fully in the digital age,” Rosales shared with reporters.
The 1,048 Wi-Fi access points are spread across the region, with 245 in Leyte, 42 in Southern Leyte, 123 in Eastern Samar, 72 in Biliran, 110 in Samar, and 456 in Northern Samar.
To address the lack of a national broadband network in the Visayas, DICT has relied on very small aperture terminal (VSAT) technology to establish internet connectivity in these remote areas. The system can support up to 100 devices within a 50-meter radius from each access point.
Launched in 2019, the DICT’s Free Wi-Fi for All initiative aims to provide Filipinos with accessible, high-quality internet to enhance opportunities across various sectors, ultimately helping to close the digital divide in the country.