The Philippine Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has joined forces with a telecommunications company to launch the "GIDA Universal Internet Subscription (UISG) Project."。

The strategic partnership, which aims to provide digital access to more than 2,000 Remote and Impoverished Areas (GIDAs) across the Philippines, marks an important step towards digital inclusion in the country.。

The work is centred on the Free Access to Public Internet Initiative, which runs under the Broadband ng Masa initiative with the mission of bridging the digital divide and giving every Filipino people access to the rich opportunities offered by the digital economy.。

DICT Minister Ivan John Uy said he was committed to making this vision a reality and ensuring the benefits of the digital revolution reach every corner of the country.。

The UISG project includes the deployment of fixed very small aperture terminals (VSAT), fiber optic technology and mobile satellite communications terminals in more than 2,000 socially and economically backward regions。This infrastructure will assist other government agencies and local government units (LGUs) during disasters, playing a key role in meeting their connectivity needs.。

The Philippines "archipelago structure and its terrain are extremely challenging, and this inherent geographical barrier has been hindering the country's Internet penetration, and the project has successfully overcome a series of obstacles through the strategic integration and application of advanced technologies, coupled with diversified deployment methods.。

About 1,400 fiber-optic access points will be built in flat terrain, while for hills and mountains, fixed VSAT will provide satellite connectivity to remote and isolated communities, bringing the hybrid technology project's capacity to an unprecedented 145 GB.。

Mobile satellite terminals can be connected to mobile vehicles after deployment, which will strengthen disaster and emergency response work to a certain extent。Of these, 34 portable antennas with suitcases and generator sets were recently handed over to DICT and distributed to other regional offices。

The implementation of the UISG project requires the joint efforts of all parties, in this regard, DICT Deputy Minister Jeffrey Ian Dy stressed the importance of political and business cooperation.。To date, 97% of the sites have been activated and accepted and are expected to be completed by the end of this year.。

Working with various connectivity providers, the UISG project currently manages 4,741 active sites in 1,871 locations across 17 regions across the Philippines, which equates to 806 terabytes of Internet data consumed by the public.。

As the UISG project draws to a close, it will have a transformative impact on the GIDA region。In addition to bridging the digital divide, it lays the foundation for increased educational opportunities, economic growth and improved health services.。

DICT Deputy Minister Jeffrey stressed that the adaptive and inclusive strategy is in line with the broader vision of digital inclusion, in line with the principles of the Free Access to Public Internet Programme under the Broadband ng Masa programme.。

The UISG project is a beacon of hope for the GIDA region, announcing to the Filipino people of the country with practical actions and fruitful results: through collaboration and technological innovation, the future of connectivity and digitalization is within reach.。