The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is ramping up the roll out of free internet access to further equip the education sector under the “new normal.”In a statement on Wednesday, the DICT said it was accelerating the expansion of its Free Wi-Fi for All Program as it anticipates the spike in demand for internet connectivity from public educational institutions. Secretary Gregorio Honasan 2nd ordered his team to work with the Department of Education (DepEd), the Commission on Higher Education and their respective regional offices; state universities and colleges (SUCs); and other educational institutions for the prompt installation of free Wi-Fi and internet access relevant to the education sector, including the provision of technical assistance when necessary. “President Rodrigo Roa Duterte expressed his support for the DepEd push for blended and distance learning so that education will continue in the midst of the Covid-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) health emergency,” Honasan said. “A key factor for this is a fast, reliable and secure internet — we are focusing on speeding up infrastructure buildup to address the expected surge in demand for connectivity in the education sector,” he added. This initiative envisions to provide public places, such as town plazas, parks, government offices, health units and transport terminals, with internet access.

Source: Manila Times June 10, 2020 17:15 UTC