(CNN Philippines) — The country is just one more signal away from finally going online.
This, after the House of Representatives recently gave House Bill 1550 — or the Free Public Wi-Fi Act — a big signal boost by approving on third and final reading the proposed measure that aims to provide the public free Internet access in government buildings and public establishments throughout the country.
It’s now up to the Senate to give the measure, also known as House Bill 5791, the final go-signal with Kabataan Partylist Rep. Terry Ridon, the bill’s primary author, urging the senate to fast-track the passage of their version of the bill.
The bill, in general, seeks to provide free Wi-Fi service in the buildings of national government offices, municipal halls, provincial capitols, state universities and colleges, public parks and plazas, public hospitals, and public transportation terminals.
According to Ridon, access to the Internet via Wi-Fi connectivity shall be without restrictions in the form of passwords except in when there is a clear and present security or technical risk.
“Passing a law that mandates government to provide fast and reliable Internet connectivity in public places, especially in our 113 state universities and colleges, is one step towards improving Philippine Internet,” he said.
“In its own way, public Internet connectivity will help bolster the economy and provide students and the general public essential tools in the digital age.”
The push for better Internet connectivity was also endorsed by the American Chamber of Commerce, saying that “higher Internet penetration will bring a wealth of benefits to Filipinos and efficiencies for the economy, reducing business costs and helping the economy to become more competitive and meet its Millennium Development Goals.”
Related: Free Wi-Fi in Philippines before 2015 ends
