History of Philippine Internet

Before Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram became trends.

 The Internet

Modern life has become easier and the people of the world have to thanks to the immense contribution of
the internet technology to communication and information sharing. There is no doubt that internet has made
our life become easier and more convenient.

We can use internet to communicate with people around the world, doing business by using internet, make
new friend and know different cultures, searching information, studying and etc.

The internet not only allows for communication through email but also ensures easy availability of
information, images, and products amongst other things. Every day the internet continues to provide a new
facility, something new that is immensely convenient and that makes life more easier for web users.
However, the internet also contains some unwanted elements or disadvantages.

The Timeline of Internet in the Philippines

Twenty- five (25) years ago, March 29, 1994 to be exact, the free and open World Wide Web was launched in the
Philippines.

The first local Bulletin Board System, otherwise known as BBS, is a computer system running a software that
allows user to connect and exchange messages and information using a terminal program. It is started as early as
1986 and was operated using a software that ran on an IBM XT Clone PC, with a modem that ran on 1200 bpm.
Subscription fees ran high as Php 1000 per month.

By 1987, inter- BBS connectivity was enabled through the Philippine FidoNet exchange One bulletin board system
in Metro Manila is now able to connect to other bulletin board system in the same area.

By the early years of the 90’s, email gateways and services broadened, courtesy of the multinational corporations
operating in the Philippines. By 1993 , the government would figure as a major player, mostly of the role discharge
by the Department of Science and Technology (DOST).

With the support from the Industrial Research Foundation (IRF) , the PhilNet project was launched, consisting of
representative from various universities such as the University of the Philippines- Diliman, University of the
Philippines- Los Baños, De La Salle University, and Ateneo de Manila University. They would team up with Dr.
Rudy Villarica who would represent the Industrial Research Foundation.

By July 1993, with the full funding by the DOST, the PhilNet project scaled up. Students from the above-stated
universities were able to connect to another gateway at the Victoria University of Australia. By November 1993, an
additional grant of 12.5 million would flow to the purchase of equipment and lease of communication lines.

By March 29, 1994, the Philippines was formally connected to the internet , using the PLDT network center in
Makati City. On the same day, the first international E-mail Conference was being held at the University of San
Carlos in Cebu. Dr. John Brule, a professor emeritus from Syracuse University, announced “We’re in!” as the
PhilNet connection successful linked with the global internet. Cheers and enthusiastic applause greeted this historic
moment.