The Internet has become a need nowadays than a want. The situation forced us to rely on the services provided in the information superhighway.
Thanks to the Coronavirus disease (Covid) pandemic, we have realized how important Internet connection is.
We are now able to work from home and get protection from the virus, again thanks to the Internet. We are able to study remotely because of the Internet, again thanks to the Internet.
Our purchasing and food delivery habits have changed because of the pandemic and we have to thank the Internet for making things happen safe and more convenient. The reality now is we can consume entertainment like movies without the need to physically visit a cinema. For this reason, the epic movie Dollhouse, becomes a household name without the need to buy tickets and be with other people in a confined space and increase the possibility of catching Covid.
We have to thank the Internet because we are able to survive the pandemic by allowing us to still work, play and study even if we’re stuck in our homes. Without the Internet, it would have been pretty hard to survive the pandemic and practically the society will have to struggle and face uncertainty.
Yet, as we depend more on the Internet for shopping, work, studies, and entertainment, the more we see the cracks and the short comings of the quality of the Internet connection provided by major telcos to Boholano customers.
People who rely on the Internet still have qualms about reliability and leas about speed. It is not a question anymore of whether or not one has an Internet connection. What matters more now is how fast one can download a movie or listen to a song on Spotify.
While the Internet speed here in the Philippines remains lagging behind compared to countries such as South Korea, Singapore or Japan, still the speed is able to cover the basic Internet activity needs.
Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) regional director Frederick Amores said at the sidelines of the 14th Summit of the National Information and Communications Technology Council of the Philippines (NICP) in Tagbilaran City, that the Internet speed the subscribers are getting today is way faster compared to 25 years ago.
Back in the ’90s, the cost of a 64,000 bits per second connection coated tens of thousand pesos. It was too slow and too expensive. Now, a speed of 100 million bits per second cost P2,000 more or less. This means that the speed of Philippine Internet is now faster and cheaper, than before.
However, it is not only and really the speed that’s the problem. It is the availability and reliability of Internet for freelancers who rely on good connection to work with their principals abroad. The people need to have stable and reliable internet especially when the Netflix movie is down to its climax. We need to get dependable Internet when online players are about to make a counter attack on Call of Duty video game.
We have to accept the fact that rural areas lack cellular service with a much more stable Internet connection. This situation can stunt the growth of the country. Of course, we can solve this via satellite-based Internet service provided by Starlink but then again, we have yet to see a dial installed here in the country. Also, is it easy for the ordinary resident to pay P6,000 per month for unlimited high-speed and ultra reliable Internet service coming from outer space?
And, if there is connection, there are times that the Internet is unavailable which will cause disruptions.
While the speed may be a lesser issue today, we have to accept that availability and reliability are added issues that need to be addressed by the private and public sectors.
We need to ensure that Internet connectivity reaches the far-flung areas and that the connection will never bog down frequently.
The reality is that people are willing to pay top peso bills for reliable service.
We should be getting the right speed all the time and not just sometimes. As we pay promptly, we expect prompt service, too.