Revival of national broadband network project still under study

MANILA, Philippines—There is nothing final yet about a proposal to revive the NBN-ZTE broadband project for the government, a Malacañang Palace aide said Saturday.

Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said government officials were still studying the proposal of the Department of Science and Technology to revive plans to set up a national government broadband network.

“Although we do not deny that there has been talk about that particular project, this is still being discussed and there is still no resolution or a way forward,” Valte said in an interview over the government radio station DZRB.

“So at this point, the possibility of putting up a… government broadband network is still being discussed, considering (its benefits in cutting) down on communications costs and communications expenses in the entire government,” she added.

Valte said it was the DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute that broached the proposal.

She added that she did not know if Jun Lozada, who exposed the alleged bribes in the NBN-ZTE deal during the Arroyo administration, would be a consultant if the broadband project were to be  revived.