THE PHILIPPINES PUSHES FOR US$19 MIL BROADBAND PROJECT

The Department of Science and Technology has proposed for the national broadband project, which reportedly cost Php800 million (US$19 million), to connect all local government units and government agencies in the Philippines. The DOST claims that putting up the project, dubbed government broadband network (GBN), is more cost-effective in the long-term since it will cost less than half of the Php2 billion (US$47 million) that government spends for internet connectivity for just 6.4 Gbps capacity. Deputy presidential spokesperson Abigail Valte said government officials were still studying the proposal of the DOST. This is not the first time that the government pushed for the establishment of national broadband network (NBN). In 2007, $329-million contract was awarded to a telecoms firm for the construction of a proposed NBN project but the government cancelled the project since it involves allegations of corruption. “Although we do not deny that there has been talk about that particular project, this is still being discussed and there is still no resolution or a way forward,” Valte said in an interview over the government radio station. “So at this point, the possibility of putting up a government broadband network is still being discussed, considering (its benefits in cutting) down on communications costs and communications expenses in the entire government,” she added. Valte said it was the DOST-Advanced Science and Technology Institute that presented the proposal. The DOST and the Information and Communication Technology Office are the point agencies for the implementation of the GBN project. A government broadband network is needed to integrate and address data processing, storage, computing and high-speed connectivity needs of government agencies.