Mindanao-focused digital infrastructure development supported by unconnected.org
Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) held a Joint Consultative Meeting for Mindanao Digital Infrastructure Development.
Mindanao is one of the Philippines largest islands, wherein bridging the digital divide is a priority. To this end, several stakeholders including partners of unconnected.org, namely, the National ICT Confederation of the Philippines, Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association, and ACCESS Mindanao, together with the National Telecommunications Commission and the Bangsamoro ICT Office came together to discuss opportunities for collaboration to address gaps in digital infrastructure.
Strategies include broadband mapping, use of satellite and other emerging technologies, and investment in fiber networks.
Better Internet PH and the World Bank also participated and discussed the state of ICT in the Philippines and how policies have the power to shape the future of the country’s ICT landscape.
MinDA rightfully called for transforming Mindanao’s digital disparities into digital opportunities; anchored on its 2030 vision of completely connecting the unconnected.
Critical to the realization of this is the passage of Konektadong Pinoy, a landmark digital connectivity law envisaged to simplify licensing process for building networks and offering Internet services, establish infrastructure sharing scheme, and issuance of a radio spectrum management policy.
