THE entry of Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company Inc.(Mislatel) can help in improving Tech4Ed facilities by providing a faster internet network in municipalities, a government official said.
Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) acting secretary Eliseo Rio Jr. underscored the importance of internet connectivity in sustaining technological facilities in the rural-side of the country.
Rio said during a press conference at the Royal Mandaya Hotel on Thursday, November 15, that telecommunication companies in the country are not investing in offering WiFi services in the municipalities. He also said that for Tech4Ed sites to be sustainable, reliable internet connection is a requirement.
“Hirap na hirap ho kami maglagay ng Tech4Ed facilities kung walang ilalagay na internet services ang mga telco (We are having a hard time placing Tech4Ed facilities if telcos will not provide internet services),” Rio said, adding that the entry of Mislatel can be the solution.
Rio pointed out that with the entry of the third telecommunications firm, they will not be dependent with Globe and Smart when getting internet services.
The Tech4Ed sites are self-sustaining shared facilities providing access to Information Communication Technology (ICT)-enabled services which evolved from the Philippine Community eCenter Program. These technological sites are partnered with local government units (LGUs) and DICT.
Mislatel promised to provide five megabits per second (mbps) internet speed and 55 mbps maximum for the next five years. The consortium is a partnership between Davao businessman Dennis Uy’s Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp. and China Telecommunications Corporation (China Telecom).
DICT Mindanao cluster one director Maria Teresa Camba said in the same event though Filipinos are not happy with the current internet speed in the country, this will not stop DICT in expanding Tech4Ed sites in the country.