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The proposed "Sana All May Internet Act" was unanimously approved on third and final reading by the House of Representatives on Wednesday night, Aug. 21.

Receiving 203 affirmative votes during plenary session was House Bill (HB) No.10699, which promises to provide “cheaper and more accessible” Internet for all.

The bill eliminates the spectrum users fee (SUF) that telecommunications companies (telcos) currently pay to the national government regulator for the use of specific frequencies.

Among others, the measure seeks to enable the proliferation of Wi-Fi technology usage and facilitate infrastructuredevelopment, eventually lowering the cost of delivering telecommunications services to end users.

It likewise aims to “promote the acceleration of internet use in the country and the expansion of Wi-Fi (wireless fidelity) technology and infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas so the poor and underprivileged shall have access to reliable, accessible, and affordable connectivity'.

“The State recognizes the vital role of telecommunication in nation building and as such, it shall implement measures to provide communication standards suitable to the needs and aspirations of the nation,” authors of HB No.10699 pointed out.

“To this end, the government shall allocate the radio frequency spectrum to promote the adoption of appropriate technologies and best practices, an interference-free environment, and the highest service standards and shall assign the radio frequency spectrum to service providers capable of efficiently and effectively using it to meet public demand for telecommunications and data transmission services,” they added.

With the zero SUF, the solons believe the measure will “encourage and empower small players in the industry to provide affordable internet services, especially in the unserved and underserved areas".

A counterpart measure in the Senate must be passed for the bill to become a law.

The approved measure covers Wi-Fi frequencies at 2.4-2.4835 GHz, 5.150- 5.350 GHz, and 5.470-5.850 GHz, and any other frequency band that the National Telecommunications Commissions (NTC) may deem open and unprotected after due notice and hearing.

Under the measure, the State, through the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and the NTC, are prohibited from imposing a levy, charge, or collecting fees from the telcos for their use of the specified Wi-Fi frequencies.

However, the bill authorizes the NTC to add to the list of the frequencies enumerated under the Act, “should there be in the future, pursuant to internationally agreed standards, changes in technologies, and as public safety and security may require, any new frequency that may fall or be included into the definition of open and unprotected spectrum".

The authors clarified that the measure shall in no way amend or repeal “The Free Internet Access in Public Places Act” or Republic Act (RA) No.10929.

Among the bill’s authors were Reps. Toby Tiangco, Chairman of the House committee on ICT, Paul Daza, Majority Leader Manuel Jose “Mannix” Dalipe, Jose "Bong"Teves, Jr., Harris Christopher Ongchuan, Bryan Revilla, Alan “Aldu” Dujali, Marissa “Del Mar” Magsino, Jurdin Jesus Romualdo, Rachel Marguerite Del Mar, Kristine Alexie Tutor, France Castro, Fernando Cabredo, Roman Romulo, Francisco "Kiko" Benitez,Cheeno Miguel Almario, Margarita "Atty. Migs"Nograles, Keith Micah "Atty. Mike" Tan, Florida "Rida" Robes, Raoul Manuel, Anthony Rolando Golez, Jr., and Arlene Brosas.

The NDC and the DICT are directed to promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the provisions of the Act within 60 days from its effectivity.