The minimum 2 megabytes per second (Mbps) internet connection will soon be set following the approval of the amended Substitute Bill on “Faster Internet Services Act” by the House Committee on Friday.

According to the Section 4 of the measure, the National Telecommunications Commission will order “all ISPs to only advertise and offer internet service download speeds that they can consistently provide and work towards providing an average internet connection speed above global average.”

Two years after the bill is enacted, consumers can expect a minimum download speed of “10 Mbps in Metro Manila and highly urbanized cities, 5 Mbps in all other cities, and 2 Mbps in rural areas”.

Meanwhile, Albay 2nd district Rep. Joey Salceda pushes for a higher internet speed in the country. Initially disagreeing with the proposed minimum 2 Mbps, the Satellite Liberalization Act author believed that no district representative would vote for it due to the low number.

He also encouraged internet service providers to lean towards improving its services for the benefit of the internet users.

“The more competition, the better for the consumer. Internet service is no longer a “natural monopoly,” he said. “It can be provided cheaply with both reinvented and emerging technologies.”

In 2019, Speedtest Global Index reported that Philippines has an average of 15.06 Mbps. Despite that, the country still placed 103rd out of the 139 participating countries.

Photo Credit: Presidential Communications Operations Office