DAVAO City is capable of handling higher internet bandwidth as proven during the recently concluded Innovation Summit 2022, according to Atty. Samuel R. Matunog, chairperson of the summit and former president of ICT Davao Inc.
During the Innovation Summit last November 10 to 11, Matunog said it was the first time they were provided with an uncapped internet bandwidth of 2GB during the event, both cable and wireless connection.
“This shows that in Davao City today, this ability to supply whatever you need in terms of broadband, you can have that. It showed that in Davao City, bandwidth is no longer a problem,” Matunog said during the Wednesdays Media Forum on November 16.
The chairperson explained that it would be up to industry players, like telecom companies, to take advantage of the opportunity and come up with ways for higher internet bandwidths to be available for everyone.
“Ang challenge na lang ngayon (The challenge now) is how to ensure that that kind of speed and capacity will be ubiquitous, meaning, available wherever you are,” Matunog said.
He added that one of the challenges right now is that internet connection is limited due to characteristics of wireless transmission such as being prone to signal interruptions but the innovations in the technology can improve the situation.
Currently, the current bandwidth available in most households in Davao City is capped at between 100 to 200 Mbps, limiting the internet speed that could be used. Matunog mentioned that lower bandwidths are actually cheaper, ranging from about P1,500 to P2,000.
Last month, the chairperson revealed that Davao Region is the site for two new internet cable landing stations in the Philippines. One is from Converge which will be located in Davao City and the other is from PLDT in Digos City.
These two new additional submarine cables would make the country’s internet connection more efficient and reliable. It would also serve as a backup connection in cases of interruption in the original/existing connections.
“The woes before that our internet is not resilient or reliable, that is something of the past. That is my conclusion as a result of what we have shown, what our partners have shown during the innovation summit,” Matunog said. ICM