DICT, telcos sign MOU to establish Connectivity Index Rating; PSAC extends support

In a groundbreaking initiative, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and members of the Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) – Digital Infrastructure Group?agreed?on a groundbreaking initiative by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on 21 July 2023 with the purpose of?establishing?a standardized Connectivity Index Rating in the Philippines.

The MOU, forged between DICT and major telecommunications companies–Globe, PLDT, Smart, DITO, and Converge–exemplifies the collaborative drive of all stakeholders in pushing for inclusive national progress.

“The benefits of having a nationwide benchmark for internet quality in a particular area could not be overstated. For businesses and public institutions, the Connectivity Index Rating will allow them to optimize their connectivity requirements based on the volume of user-traffic that they accommodate in their area. The Connectivity Index Rating is also seen to push businesses to innovate and invest in quality connectivity solutions that will, among others,?increase brand recognition and expand their customer base.?More importantly, the Connectivity Index Rating is aligned with the directive of President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. to accelerate the digital transformation of the country by raising awareness on the availability, quality, and consistency of internet connectivity in buildings used for public purposes”” DICT Secretary Ivan John E. Uy said.

The Connectivity Index Rating, initially proposed by telecommunications companies to PSAC, perfectly aligns with the council’s long-standing objective of fostering public-private partnerships to achieve the government’s economic objectives across various sectoral groups, including digital infrastructure. Serving as a bridge between different entities, this collaborative platform is pivotal in promoting a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable future.

The rating system will produce an accessible measure of indoor internet experience quality. It aims to empower consumers by providing them with clear insight into the connectivity performance of different establishments.

The index will assess a range of parameters including speed, accessibility, availability, and security of internet services. This comprehensive tool delivers a vital reference for property owners and government institutions, enabling them to ensure the necessary level of connectivity to accommodate user traffic in locations such as airports, shopping malls, hotels, libraries, restaurants and coffee shops.

The DICT and PSAC recognize that the MOU is the effective solution to address the existing gap in consumer knowledge on the quality of internet connectivity at various venues.

Leaders from the telecommunications companies expressed their support for the establishment of the Connectivity Index Rating.

“The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding is an important step towards truly enhancing the digital landscape of the country. Indoor service experience has been a common complaint among customers and the decision of selecting service providers, including which data plan to get lies in the hands of building and establishment owners. Through this rating, public and private?sector players will be able to easily identify areas that need connectivity improvement, leading to efficient and effective network investments. Customers can immediately give feedback about their experience which will ultimately redound to improving overall internet service in the country,” said Ernest Cu, Globe Group President and CEO.?

“This initiative is aligned with the PLDT Group’s commitment to ensure the highest possible quality of internet and connectivity service for all Filipinos, as well as support the Government’s thrust to digitally transform the Philippines,” said PLDT and Smart President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio.

“We started Converge with the goal of providing world-class broadband connectivity to all Filipinos. We strongly support the creation of a Connectivity Index Rating to help the public measure internet quality in indoor spaces. This benchmark will effectively inject transparency into the internet readiness of public spaces, and push property owners to improve their digital infrastructure as required by their users,” said Converge CEO Dennis Anthony Uy.

“We fully support the Marcos Administration’s aim to transform our economy through digitalization and connectivity… We can only achieve this through partnership and collaboration between the government and the telco sector”?said DITO?TelecommunityCorporation?Chief?Executive?Officer?Dennis A. Uy.?

Through the Connectivity Index Rating, the DICT and PSAC aim to foster a more dynamic, consumer-oriented digital ecosystem in line with international standards. This initiative embodies the council’s steadfast commitment to advancing the country’s digitalization goals.

The PSAC was established strategically by President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. to create and strengthen innovative synergies between the private and public sectors. Composed of business leaders and experts across six main sectoral groups?— Agriculture, Digital Infrastructure, Jobs, Healthcare, Build-Build-Build, and Tourism, PSAC aims to drive the Philippine economy’s transformation through robust infrastructure programs, creating more jobs, attracting more investors, digitizing processes, and improving agricultural productivity through the recalibration of micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs), jumpstart Philippine tourism and ensuring an equitable, sustainable, and inclusive business landscape for Filipinos.?

PSAC will continuously recommend modern policy development and report regularly to the President to provide feedback and adjust recommendations based on what is happening on the ground.?On its part, the DICT reinforces its commitment to?deploy digital connectivity, ramp up the country’s ICT infrastructure, and enable digital inclusion pursuant to the directives of President Marcos Jr.