Use Comelec signal boosters for online learning, says solon
Published Jun 4, 2020 12:00 am
By Ellson Quismorio
A House leader is suggesting the use of Broadband Global Area Networks (BGANs) and Very Small Aperture Terminals (VSATs) to aid in the Department of Education's (DepEd) plan to use online-based learning methods in the coming school year.
Iligan City lone district Rep. Frederick Siao
(FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN) Iligan lone district Rep. Frederick Siao said on Thursday, June 4, that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has tapped BGANs and VSATs since the first automated polls in 2010 "to fill in many gaps in the internet signal coverage nationwide." "I suggest we deploy these equipment and accompanying devices again but this time, to make online learning work for over 32 million students," said Siao, who chairs the House Committee on Civil Service and Professional Regulation. According to the Mindanao lawmaker, these BGANs and VSATs may be targeted to "boost signals in areas where and when signals are weak, where there are blind spots, and where the cell towers are overwhelmed by high traffic volume. VSATs can be deployed to islands, foothills, mountain slopes, and other remote areas." Online classes are part of the blended learning methods being espoused by DepEd upon the schedule reopening of classes on August 24 for school year 2020-21. By having virtual classes administered by teachers, students can lower the risk of contracting COVID-19 since they get to stay at home. Even the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) officials have admitted to House members in recent hearings that it would take a while before all corners of the country could get ample internet access for that purpose. "With the slow implementation of the common tower policy, lack of a national broadband backbone, and long-term nature of the laying of submarine telecom cables, these BGANs and VSATs are the rapid deployment solutions," insisted Siao. "The education agencies simply have to meet the telecom and internet services providers on the technical and financial feasibility of how the BGANs and VSATs CAN materially improve internet access and quality," he said. He said mobile app developers can also help by developing online and mobile learning materials considering how most of the students today are tech-savvy. The app creators can also produce tools for teachers, school managers, and parents, noted Siao. Siao urged DepEd as well as the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to work together with the DICT and National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on providing the needed policies. He said they also need to consult the technical experts of Comelec on the use of these equipment. "For the long term, we need that long delayed national broadband network and should have more companies enter the telecoms and Internet service sectors. Our growing population of 109 million people and hundreds of thousands of businesses make for sufficient national economies of scale," he said.
Iligan City lone district Rep. Frederick Siao(FACEBOOK / MANILA BULLETIN) Iligan lone district Rep. Frederick Siao said on Thursday, June 4, that the Commission on Elections (Comelec) has tapped BGANs and VSATs since the first automated polls in 2010 "to fill in many gaps in the internet signal coverage nationwide." "I suggest we deploy these equipment and accompanying devices again but this time, to make online learning work for over 32 million students," said Siao, who chairs the House Committee on Civil Service and Professional Regulation. According to the Mindanao lawmaker, these BGANs and VSATs may be targeted to "boost signals in areas where and when signals are weak, where there are blind spots, and where the cell towers are overwhelmed by high traffic volume. VSATs can be deployed to islands, foothills, mountain slopes, and other remote areas." Online classes are part of the blended learning methods being espoused by DepEd upon the schedule reopening of classes on August 24 for school year 2020-21. By having virtual classes administered by teachers, students can lower the risk of contracting COVID-19 since they get to stay at home. Even the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) officials have admitted to House members in recent hearings that it would take a while before all corners of the country could get ample internet access for that purpose. "With the slow implementation of the common tower policy, lack of a national broadband backbone, and long-term nature of the laying of submarine telecom cables, these BGANs and VSATs are the rapid deployment solutions," insisted Siao. "The education agencies simply have to meet the telecom and internet services providers on the technical and financial feasibility of how the BGANs and VSATs CAN materially improve internet access and quality," he said. He said mobile app developers can also help by developing online and mobile learning materials considering how most of the students today are tech-savvy. The app creators can also produce tools for teachers, school managers, and parents, noted Siao. Siao urged DepEd as well as the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) to work together with the DICT and National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) on providing the needed policies. He said they also need to consult the technical experts of Comelec on the use of these equipment. "For the long term, we need that long delayed national broadband network and should have more companies enter the telecoms and Internet service sectors. Our growing population of 109 million people and hundreds of thousands of businesses make for sufficient national economies of scale," he said.