The DICT-UNDP Free Wi-Fi for All project supports the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) commitment to accelerate the roll-out of the ‘Free Wi-Fi for All National Program.’ It covers the provision of free Wi-Fi internet service to 6,000 geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas that are in difficult to reach terrain, off the grid, and out of reach of commercial networks. The 6,000 locations are just five percent of the total sites of the National Free Wi-Fi Program, slated until 2022.  

From July 2019 to August 2020, the DICT, UNDP, and the host Provincial Governments of 36 provinces, including the Ministry of the Interior and Local Government (MILG) for BARMM areas, initiated partnerships through an exchange of letters to facilitate the roll-out of internet access to public places. Under these partnerships, 5,000 public sites in remote and disadvantaged areas in these provinces were incorporated in the targeted deployment under the DICT-UNDP Free Wi-Fi for All.

The project aimed to install, activate, and provide managed internet services to these sites up to January 2022 (Phase 1) and up to July 2022 (Phase2). However, delays in implementation, especially due to the challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic, significantly affected the normal pace of delivery. By 30 May 2021, 927 free Wi-Fi sites were installed and activated in 14 provinces, mostly in DepEd schools and barangay halls, to facilitate digital learning and digital public service delivery.

In May 2021, at the request of DICT, UNDP agreed to terminate contracts previously signed with Speedcast Limited, the provider of managed internet services, for the project. The termination was necessary to address unresolved challenges encountered by the contractor in adhering to project deadlines.

In order to mitigate the adverse impact to beneficiaries on the ground, the DICT and UNDP are actively engaged in discussions to determine the way forward with alternative solutions, to address the continuation of the internet services.

UNDP remains committed to working with our partners to provide digital services and create digital solutions, for marginalized and vulnerable communities nationwide.

####