Remote Mindanao islands to get free Wi-Fi: DICT

MANILA – Residents of some remote islands in Mindanao will soon be able to connect to the internet for free after the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) completes its installation of free wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) terminals.

In a press release on Thursday, the DICT said it is set to deploy Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) facilities by March and was made possible through partnership between the DICT Mindanao Cluster 1, the Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) Western Mindanao, Philippine Coast Guard, and the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao’s Ministry of Transportation and Communication.

DICT Secretary Gregorio Honasan said the provision of these free Wi-Fi terminals is part of the DICT’s intensified roll-out of free Wi-Fi sites in remote and underdeveloped areas and is meant to provide more opportunities and to “better adapt to the new normal.”

“Wherever you are in the country, your DICT will strive to reach you,” Honasan said.

These VSAT facilities will be installed in Sumisip, Lamitan, Isabela, and Tip-Tipo in Basilan province; two terminals in Jolo, three in Patikul, and one each in Parang and Luuk in Sulu province; three in Bongao, three in Panglima Sugala, three in Sitangkai, two in Turtle Islands, two in Mapun, and one each in Languyun and Sibutu in Tawi-Tawi province.

It will also provide four desktop computer packages to the local government unit of Taganak Island, four more for the Mapun Island LGU, and 21 thin client (computers that runs resources stored on a central server instead of a localized hard drive) packages will be given to Mapun National High School and Turtle Islands National High School.

To ensure safety and security during the installation of these facilities, it said the Western Command of the AFP under Maj. Gen. Corleto Vinluan Jr., will be providing security and facilitate the deployment of DICT teams. (PR)