Addressing challenges in

mobile telecoms to narrow

the digital divide
 Executive Summary

Key issues - Philippine Challenges cause a Recommendations

mobile telecoms digital divide—the
industry unequal access to digital
technology
Outdated Regulations Updating The Regulatory
Lack Of Competition Framework
Low Internet Speeds Promoting Competition
Poor Rural Coverage Investing In Infrastructure
Cybersecurity Threats Enhancing Cybersecurity
Problem
Outdated Regulations
Ex. The Public Telecommunications Policy
Act of 1995: The current framework was
established 30 years ago and has not been
significantly updated since then.

Open access framework and increased

transparency - options to encourage fair
and open competition in data transmission

Licensing and permits process needs to be

simplified for fair competition and hasten
building telecom infrastructure.

Modernizing regulations urgently needed

to reflect importance of the internet and
ensure the regulatory framework is not a
barrier to innovation Outdated Regulations
Problem
Lack Of Competition
Mobile Subscriber Share
in the Philippines

8%
40%

Lack Of Competition
Problem
52%

PLDT Smart Globe Telecom DITO

 Problem

Low Internet Speeds

The Philippines - 130th out of 195 countries in
the world for internet speed

Low internet speed makes it hard for businesses

to compete in global economy

Slow speed hinders growing digital economy: in

2021, digital transactions - 9.6% of GDP

Low Internet Speeds

Wealth index
and internet
speeds for
Philippine
municipalities
and cities
 Problem
Poor Rural Coverage

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 Improving network coverage crucial in
improving access as users utilize their
phones for the internet.

2021 NEDA study: only 40% of

households in rural areas have internet
access.

Poorer areas have less access, slower

internet speeds, and fewer cell towers.

Telecoms infrastructure needs to

continue to improve service.
Poor Rural Coverage

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 Problem

Cybersecurity Threats

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 The Philippines is vulnerable because of
poor cybersecurity infrastructure

Lack of cybersecurity specialists is alarming:

only 300 practicing experts out of the needed
200,000.

Of the 300 cybersecurity specialists,

only 5 work in government

Cybersecurity Threats

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 Digital Divide

the unequal access to

digital technology

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 Recommendations
Update The
Regulatory Framework
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 Modernize outdated laws and
strengthen regulatory frameworks
for effective regulation, competition
promotion, lower prices, and
expand infrastructure. Update The
Regulatory Framework
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Recommendations
Promote Competition
 Implement policies that encourage more
players to enter, fostering competition
and innovation.

Strengthen regulatory frameworks to

ensure fair competition, preventing anti-
competitive practices and encouraging
investment in network expansion. Promote Competition

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 Recommendations

Infrastructure
Development

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 Establish complete plan to rush deployment of
critical telecoms infrastructure in underserved
and unserved areas, improving network
coverage and internet speeds.

Encourage public-private partnerships to

promote infrastructure sharing & reduce
duplication of resources, enhancing cost
efficiency.

Infrastructure
Development

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Recommendations

Enhance Cybersecurity

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Increase capacity with regular cybersecurity &
data protection education.

Establish & enforce a cybersecurity threat

readiness plan, organizing to deal with
cyberattacks, including securing data

Enhance Cybersecurity

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 Addressing challenges narrow
the digital divide and crucial so people can
equitably benefit from mobile
telecommunications services and the
opportunities improving access can bring.

By acting on the recommendations, the

government can create an enabling
environment for the industry to flourish
further and help to ensure that every Filipino
has access to affordable, dependable, and
secure mobile telecommunications
services.
Thank you! A POLICY BRIEF
• Aida C. Rodriguez