Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bill No._ 38

Introduced by HON. ROZZANO RUFINO B. BIAZON

EXPLANATORY NOTE

This bill seeks to mandate the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to
require Internet service providers (ISPs) to deliver minimum Internet connection speeds of 10
megabytes per second (mbps) for all mobile, fixed and fixed wireless broadband/intenet
access to their subscribers. Furthermore, ISPs shall guarantee that they continuously develop
their system and work towards providing an average Internet connection speed above global
average.

In this advanced technological world we live in today, the Internet undoubtedly has
made a strong influence in almost all facets of our lives. It has become very essential in our
daily living that even the United Nations General Assembly recognized access to the Internet
as a basic human right.

By making access to information and communication far easier with only a click or a
tap, the Internet plays an integral role in various fields like education, commerce, health,
research, even politics and government. Its application is virtually limitless, hence, is
considered a valuable resource.

With all its amazing functions however, high-speed access to the Internet is necessary
to prove its true value and maximize its full potential as a tool in development. In this aspect,
speed is the name of the game.

The Philippines is way behind its neighbors in Asia in Internet speed where some of
the fastest Internet speeds in the world are found. Singapore, for example, has an average
Internet download speed of 133.1 megabytes per second (mbps) compared to the Philippines’
dismal 3.7 mbps. That’s even putting it generously. Some reports even peg our country’s
Internet download speed at 2.5 mbps making us the country with the slowest Internet
connection in the ASEAN.

While efforts have been made by the NTC to speed up the country’s Internet
connection by signing a memorandum setting the minimum broadband speed at 256 kbps and



mandated service providers to disclose to the public their average data rates per location, such
action is clearly and grossly inadequate to help solve the problem.

Considering the astronomical rates the ISPs are charging the Filipino people, it is but
just and fair to demand fast, quality and reliable Internet service from such companies. It is
high time that consumers get real value for their money.

In view of the foregoing, immediate approval of this bill is earnestly sought.

ROZZAKO alike b shoo
Representative

Lone District, Muntinlupa City


Republic of the Philippines
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Quezon City

EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS

First Regular Session

House Bill No. _38

a

Introduced by: HON. ROZZANO RUFINO B. BIAZON

AN ACT
MANDATING THE NATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMMISSION TO
REQUIRE INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS TO DELIVER A MINIMUM.
STANDARD OF 10 MEGABYTES PER SECOND (10MBPS) FOR INTERNET
CONNECTION SPEED

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in
Congress assembled:

Section 1. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the "Faster Internet Services
Act".

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the vital role of communication
and information in nation building as stated in Article II, Section 24, of the Constitution and
as such, it shall employ actions to provide better and faster communication channels suitable
to the needs and objectives of the nation. The State recognizes the important role of the
Internet in almost every aspect of life today and thus, the State ensures that internet users and
subscribers be accorded the best quality and reliability of internet connection service
provided by the accredited Internet Service Providers in the country.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. — For the purpose of this Act, the term: A

a, Bandwidth refers to the data transfer rate or the amount of data that can be carried
from one point to another in a given time period and is usually expressed in bits per second
(bps) or multiples of it;

b. Broadband refers to a transmission medium which enables high-speed Internet
access transmitted through various technologies such as the Digital Subscriber Line (DSL),
Cable Modem, Fiber Optics, Wireless, Satellite, Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave
Access (WiMax), and White Space;


¢. Internet Service Providers or ISPs refer to commercial entities with a nationwide
franchise that enable users to access Internet content and services. It may also refer to a
public telecommunications entity offering a value-added service such as the internet; and

4. Public Telecommunications Entity or PTE refers to any person, firm, partnership
or corporation, government or private, engaged in the provision of telecommunications
services to the public for a fee.

Sec. 4. Role of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) ~ The National
Telecommunications Commission is hereby mandated to require all ISPs to provide a
minimum internet download speed of 10 Mbps for all broadband internet access be it mobile,
fixed or fixed wireless. In order to meet the prescribed minimum standards, ISPs or PTEs shall
modify, improve, or change telecommunication lines and systems or expand their
infrastructure to run on higher capacity bandwidths based on the number of subscribers
demanding for their services.

Sec. 5. Regulation. — The NTC shall, by regulation, establish requirements as deemed
appropriate to ensure that ISPs meet the minimum standards in internet connection speed, and
provide for parameters regarding connection, reception, just pricing, and billing practices to
promote and protect the rights of consumers of internet services.

Sec. 6. Authority to Adjust the Minimum Standard. — The NTC is hereby mandated to
conduct a periodic review of the implementation of this Act and, if necessary, adjust the
minimum standard to provide consumers an average internet connection speed equal to, or
above what is prevalent among Asian countries or the global average.

Sec. 7. Penalties. - Any ISP who shall not meet the minimum standards mentioned
under Section 4 hereof or the regulations promulgated hereunder, shall be subject to the
penalty of a fine of Five million pesos (P5,000,000.00).

Sec. 8. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ The NTC shall promulgate the
necessary rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 9. Separability Clause. — If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional
or invalid, other parts or provisions hereof not affected thereby shall continue to be in full
force and effect.

Sec. 10. Repealing Clause. — All laws, orders, issuances, circulars, rules and
regulations or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby
repealed or modified accordingly.

Sec. 11. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication
in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation.

Approved,