Senator Sherwin Gatchalian has renewed his push for the passage of the measure that would expand the country’s existing digital infrastructure through the use of satellite-based technologies in order to accelerate the Philippine’s internet connectivity.

Gatchalian refiled the proposed Satellite-Based Technologies for Internet Connectivity Act of 2022, as Senate Bill No. 814, which primarily seeks to promote the use and development of satellite services particularly in critical areas to ensure universal access to the internet.

The senator said a stable internet connection would support government online transactions and the delivery of basic services, education, health, trade, finance, disaster preparedness, and public safety.

Citing a 2019 Asia Foundation study, Gatchalian noted that the use of digital technologies in the Philippines is still below its potential as 45 percent of Filipino citizens and 74 percent of public schools remain unconnected.

The Ookla Speedtest Global Index Report, meanwhile, pointed out that the country’s average download speed for fixed broadband connections in the first quarter of 2022 was only 52.16 megabytes per second (Mbps) compared to the global average of 113.25 Mbps as of September 2021.

Through satellite-based technology, the senator said the Internet Service Provider ISP) sends fiber internet signal to a satellite in space. The satellite dish is connected to the modem of the user, which then connects the user to the internet.

Under the bill, Value-Added Service (VAS) Providers and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) can have direct access to all satellite systems to promote the expansion of satellite-based networks.

The bill would also allow government organizations, public and non-profit private institutions, volunteer organizations engaged in education, health, finance, agriculture, environmental management, climate change management, disaster preparedness, and crisis response to own and operate satellite-based technology in order to aid and augment their activities.

“Batay sa naging karanasan natin nitong panahon ng pandemya, nakita natin kung gaano kahalagang maabot ng internet ang bawat isa sa ating mga kababayan (Based on our experience during the pandemic, we see then the importance of making sure that all our citizens can be reached through the internet),” Gatchalian said.

“Kaya naman isusulong natin ang paggamit ng (That’s why we will pursue the use of) satellite-based technology upang mapadali ang pag-abot sa mga lugar na hindi pa konektado sa internet (so we can easily reach places that until now has no internet connection),” he stressed.