The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and ComClark Network and Technology Corp. have partnered to provide digital access to more than 2,000 geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDA) across the country.
At the launch and ceremonial turnover of Equipment of the Universal Internet Subscription for GIDA (UISG) Project yesterday, DICT Secretary Ivan John Uy said the collaboration with ComClark for the UISG Project will help the agency realize the Free Public Internet Access Program, under the Broadband ng Masa Initiative, which seeks to bridge the digital divide and connect Filipinos to limitless opportunities the digital economy offers.
The UISG Project involves the deployment of fixed VSATs (satellite communications), fiber technology, and satellite-communications-on-the-move terminals to more than 2,000 areas identified as socially and economically disadvantaged.
This will greatly aid the DICT in assisting other government agencies and LGUs with their connectivity needs during calamities.
Benedicto Bulatao, ComClark chief operations officer, said an unprecedented 145 gigabits (MIR) bandwidth capacity was allocated for the mixed-technology project.
“The DICT engages with capable and reliable service providers, such as Converge, so everyone gets the best possible service, regardless of where they are,” said DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey Ian Dy.
For areas with viable geographical terrain, fiber-enabled access points will be established. These fiber-enabled access points number around 1,400 sites.
Hilly and mountainous areas will be serviced with fixed VSATs, which can be distributed to far-flung and isolated communities nationwide to provide satellite-enabled connectivity.
In addition, 34 SatCom on the Satellite-on-the-Move terminals will also be deployed for this project. These are powerful and highly portable antennas that can be hooked up to moving vehicles, either automobiles or watercraft, making them ideal for augmenting disaster and emergency response.
Thirty-four of these units, which come with a carry-on case and a genset, were recently handed over to DICT for distribution to their regional offices.
The UISG Project, through engagements with an assortment of connectivity providers, currently tracks a total of 4,741 active sites in 1,871 locations, providing connectivity across all 17 regions of the country. To date, these access points have already allowed the public to consume a total of 806TB of internet data.
