Manila City, May 10, 2024 — The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), through its Better Access and Connectivity (BEACON) project, signed a partnership agreement with unconnected.org, a non-profit organization based in the UK, to connect unserved and underserved areas in the Philippines.

According to the United Nations’ International Telecommunications Union (ITU) 2023 study, “about one-third of the global population, or 2.6 billion people, remain offline.”1 In the Philippines, more than 80 percent of families still have no access to life-changing, high-speed internet at home.2 With the internet being a gateway for people to develop and businesses to grow, USAID and unconnected.org found common ground in using available technology to close the digital gap and empower marginalized communities in the Philippines.

“The Philippines boasts a thriving digital economy, with Filipinos ranking among the most active internet users globally. However, many areas still lack internet connectivity and affordable access. Through this partnership, we aim to reach Filipinos in the most isolated areas, to ensure that no one is left behind. Together with unconnected.org, we’re not just expanding internet access; we’re igniting opportunities, fostering innovation, and driving inclusive growth across the archipelago to ultimately close the digital divide,” said John Garrity, Chief of Party of USAID’s BEACON project.

USAID has already activated 9 community networks across the Philippines that currently benefit over 1,700 families and 580 households from indigenous communities. On the other hand, unconnected.org and partners have so far enabled 2.5 million people all over the world with internet access and are currently working to connect a total of 1 billion people worldwide.

“At unconnected.org, we believe that access to the internet is a fundamental right that should be available to all, regardless of geographic location or socioeconomic status. Through our collaboration with USAID, we are proud to bring our expertise and resources to the Philippines, working hand in hand with local communities to unlock the transformative power of connectivity and drive positive change,” unconnected.org CEO Andrew Atkinson shared of the partnership.

1 https://www.itu.int/en/mediacentre/Pages/PR-2023-09-12-universal-and-meaningful-connectivity-by-2030.aspx 2 https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/241061/1/pidsdps2113.pdf

Community networks are typically rolled out specifically to remote and isolated areas where telcos are unable to reach. Using available tech such as satellite, fiber, or mobile connectivity, access to the high-speed internet is offered through a voucher system to ensure sustainability and affordability.

USAID and unconnected.org has identified the Municipality of Marabut in the Province of Samar as a potential pilot site to receive a satellite-based community network. Parties hope to activate this by June.

Microsoft recently announced a partnership with unconnected.org to connect one million people to the internet in the Philippines. Through this partnership between USAID and unconnected.org, around 30 priority sites for new community networks will be identified, community-based organizations will be determined to ensure sustainability, and more strategic partnerships with enterprises and internet service providers will be forged by USAID’s BEACON. Training support will likewise be provided for communities and the government for scaling up initiatives. unconnected.org is providing necessary hardware and software, including bandwidth management tools, for community network setup, alongside training and operational support for host organizations.

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About USAID

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) administers the U.S. foreign assistance program providing economic and humanitarian assistance in more than 80 countries worldwide. USAID’s Better Access and Connectivity (BEACON) is a five-year (2021-2026) project aimed at promoting economic growth through better internet in the Philippines.

About unconnected.org

unconnected.org is an international non-profit organization based in the UK with the mission of connecting one billion unserved and underserved people worldwide to the internet by working with local entities to provide affordable and sustainable internet connectivity.

Media Contact:

Gabriella Powell – gpowell@unconnected.org