Internet in the Philippines

The Digital Age

Internet access in the Philippines was first established on March 29, 1994, at 10:18 a.m. when the Philippine Network Foundation (PHNet) successfully connected the country to the Sprint Network in the United States through a 64 kilobit link. This milestone marked a significant advancement for the nation, ushering it into the modern era of technology. Despite the initial slow speeds, many Filipinos were able to access the internet and explore its various offerings, such as bulletin board services. However, the Philippines still lags behind other countries in terms of internet infrastructure and accessibility. As the Philippines continues to embrace digitalization and connectivity, significant changes have been observed in the online environment. According to World Bank data, nearly 50% of the population used the internet in 2020, indicating a consistent increase in internet usage rates compared to previous years. Despite the increasing demand for internet access, the quality of internet connectivity continues to be a significant concern. According to the latest Speedtest Global Index, the country's average broadband internet speed of 90.57 Mbps ranks 51st in the world. Furthermore, internet connectivity in rural and remote areas is frequently slow and unreliable, restricting access to digital services and impeding development. The Philippines has made significant investments in expanding its internet infrastructure, with major telecom providers such as Globe Telecom, PLDT, and Converge ICT extending their fiber optic networks to provide high-speed internet access to more regions of the country and in a groundbreaking development, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) approved the registration of Starlink, a satellite internet service offered by SpaceX, in 2022. The Philippines is the first country in Southeast Asia to have access to Starlink's services. NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba emphasized the agency's commitment to ensuring the swift and professional deployment of Starlink's internet service. On February 22, SpaceX announced that Starlink's internet service is now operational in the Philippines. According to a statement from SpaceX, as of July 2024, Starlink has 6,281 operational satellites, with plans to increase this number to 40,000 in the future. The Philippines seems to be on track and looking ahead, it is projected that by 2025, an estimated 15.5 million Filipino households will have internet access in their homes, however this figure is of stark contrast to the country's total population of approximately 113 million people.

---