DICT: 3,489 free Wi-Fi sites in PH reconnected as of end-July

Wi-Fi. INQUIRER.net stock photo

MANILA, Philippines — More than 3,400 free Wi-Fi sites have been reconnected nationwide providing services to nearly 2.6 million users from May-July, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) reported Tuesday.

According to the agency, the reconnected 3,489 free Wi-Fi sites cover 71 provinces, including Metro Manila, and 396 localities.

During the Oplan Balik Eskwela Launch and Command Conference for School Year 2023-2024, DICT’s Free Public Internet Access Program director Paul Tuason said: “These free Wi-Fi sites provided connectivity to almost 2.6 million users from May to July 2023.”

In a previous hearing at the House of Representatives, DICT Secretary Ivan Uy said that of the 10,000 free Wi-Fi sites installed throughout the country, only 3,900 were operational because other subscriptions were not renewed with network providers.

The DICT is eyeing to provide 10,816 free Wi-Fi sites nationwide by the end of 2023.

“For fiscal year 2023, the program envisions a three-year road map where 1,364 localities in all 84 provinces in the Philippines, including Metro Manila, shall be provided with free internet connectivity, by making use of the latest emerging technologies. This translates to 10,816 free Wi-Fi access points, or sites, across the nation,” Tuason said.

The DICT’s Free Public Internet Access Program started in 2018.

RELATED STORIES

Wider coverage of free Wi-Fi in public schools pushed

Solon questions DICT, MMDA for transferring fund for free wifi program sans Congress nod

DICT public Wi-Fi program questioned

kga