Frequent internet users in the Philippines will soon have free access to the internet after President Rodrigo Duterte signs the national law Republic Act 10929, which is publicly known as the Free Internet Access in Public Place Act.
The new law names 8 public places where people will have free access to the internet. The places include government offices, public basic elementary institutions, state universities/colleges, technology institutions, public hospitals/centers, public parks/barangay reading centers, public air/sea ports and public terminals.
The new law states that the minimum speed for the public internet service should be two megabits per second or 2Mbps and collection of fees from users will not be allowed. The Philippine government has asked the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to supervise the implementation of the new law.
Philippines has been known as the country with the slowest internet service provider compared with its Asian neighbours. Known as the Facebook capital of the world, more than half of Philippine's population is social online users.
The country's economy is also heavily dependent on the quality of internet service since it is one of Southeast Asia's leading BPO industries engaging a majority of English speaking young population
Duterte, last year, had warned local internet service providers that he would allow the entry of foreign internet service providers if they continue with slow internet services.
There are four major Philippine companies providing internet services to the country they are Sun Cellular, SMART, PLDT and Globe.
Duterte said that with faster internet services in the country, new employment opportunities will emerge in the countryside.
