GOV'T SHOULD STEP IN AS TELCOS
HAVE NO INCENTIVE TO IMPROVE INTERNET SPEEDS--CHIZ

Telecommunications companies have no incentive to improve Internet speeds because this would reduce their profits, as the use of web-based messaging services like Viber would cut into the profits made by telecommunications companies (telcos) from traditional text messages and phone calls.

This according to independent vice presidential candidate Sen. Francis "Chiz" Escudero, who at the vice-presidential debate organized by the Commission on Elections (Comelec) stressed that this is precisely the reason the government should take the lead in investing in infrastructure and technologies development and not rely on the telecommunications firms to deliver faster data connection to subscribers.

"Kapag ka mabilis ang Internet speed dito sa ating bansa, hindi na po kayo magte-text o tatawag. Viber na o kung anong application ang gagamitin ninyo kaya ayaw nilang gawin," said during the debate hosted by CNN Philippines with Rappler and BusinessMirror at the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.

"Privatized ang telco industry kaya po hindi ginagastusan 'yan ng gobyerno sa ngayon. Tama ang sinabi ng ibang mga kasamahan ko dito, hindi ito ginagastusan ng telco industry dahil kumikita sila sa cellphone calls at sa texts," explained Escudero.

When asked if telcos should be held accountable for failing to deliver its commitment to subscribers, Escudero said "yes."

The veteran lawmaker said if he and his presidential running mate Sen. Grace Poe are elected in the May elections, the government will lay out fiber optic cables simultaneous with the building of roads to improve Internet speed in the country.

"Layunin po namin ni Senator Grace, kasabay sa paglalatag ng infrastructure at kalye sa ating bansa. Dapat kasabay na rin ang paglalatag ng fiber optic at cable," he said.

Escudero said it is important for the government to invest in technology as he noted that internet access is now a human right.

"Karapatan ng ang mabilis na Internet speed, hindi lamang para sa mga estudyante, pati na rin sa mga magulang, pati na rin sa bawat Pilipino na gustong makausap at makapiling sa pamamagitan ng Internet ang kanilang mga mahal sa buhay," Escudero said.

The top choice for vice president in various pre-election surveys earlier said that making Internet service available in all public learning institutions is among his plans to improve the state of education in the country.

Global Internet provider Ookla said in its household download index report ranked the Philippines 21st out of 22 countries in Asia in terms of Internet speed, trailed only by Afghanistan.

The Philippines has a household download speed of 3.64 Mbps, top-ranked Singapore has a broadband speed of 122.43 Mbps and Hong Kong clocked in with 102.96 Mbps.

Despite the poor service, the Philippines still has one of the most expensive internet services in the world.