EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

4132
House Bill No.,

Introduced by Representative Virgilio S. Lacson

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In Article II, Section 24, of the Constitution, provides that “The State recognizes the
vital role of communication and information in nation-building”. As such, 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.

The State also gives priority to the protection of interests of consumers and the
establishment of standards of conduct for business and industry for advancements in the
field of telecommunications and connectivity. The Philippines ranks 107th’ among 140
surveyed countries in terms of mobile internet speed with an average of 15.46Mbps, in
contrast to the average internet speed of Taiwan at 43.73 Mbps, Singapore at 51.11 Mbps
and South Korea at 90.06 Mbps. In terms of Fixed Broadband internet, the Philippines
ranked 102" among 177 countries compared to Singapore which has the fastest line
internet with a speed of 195.88 Mbps, followed by Hong Kong at 173.54 Mbps, and South
Korea at 144.99 Mbps.

In recognition of the significant role of the internet in this information age, the State
ensures that internet users and subscribers be accorded the best quality of internet
connection service. Thus, it mandates internet service providers (ISPs) to provide internet
speeds of 60.31 Mbps per second for mobile broadband internet access and 128.48 Mbps
for fixed broadband internet access to their subscribers. ISPs shall ensure that they
improve their system and work towards providing an average internet connection speed
above global average.

In light of the foregoing, immediate passage of the bill is earnestly sought.

Pies
VIRGILIO §. LACSON

Manila Teachers Party List

" https://www.speedtest.net/global-index#mobile


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EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS )
OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

4132
House Bill No..

Introduced by Representative Virgilio S. Lacson

AN ACT
PROVIDING FOR A RELIABLE INTERNET SPEED CONNECTION IN THE
PHILIPPINES, INSTITUTIONALIZING MINIMUM SPEED REQUIREMENTS
FOR COMPLIANCE OF ALL INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS, AND FOR
OTHER PURPOSES

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 “Reliable Internet Speed
Connection Act.”

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. — The State recognizes the vital role of information
communication in national development and in achieving inclusive growth. The State
therefore shall implement measures to provide reliable minimum standards to the needs
and demands of the Filipino consumers and protect such interest to ensure quality internet
connection service for all internet subscribers.

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

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;
and

ce Internet Service Providers or ISPs refer to commercial entities with a
nationwide franchise that enable users to access Internet content and

2


services. It may also refer to a public telecommunications entity offering a
value-added service such as the internet.

Sec. 4. Standards on Broadband/Internet Service. — Within one (1) year from the
effectivity of this Act, all internet service providers (ISPs) shall provide internet speeds of
60.31 Mbps per second for mobile broadband internet access and 128.48 Mbps for fixed
broadband and shall work towards proving an average internet connection speed above
global average.

ISPs shall modify, expand and/or upgrade existing systems and infrastructures to
cater higher capacity bandwidths.

Sec. 5. Penalties - Any ISP who shall not meet the minimum standards mentioned
under Section 3 of this Act, shall be subject to fines and penalties of Three Hundred
Thousand pesos (Php 300,000.00) but not exceeding Five Million pesos (Php
5,000,000.00); and the NTC is hereby authorized and empowered to impose such fine,
after due notice and hearing. The fines or penalties imposed shall be paid to the
government of the Republic of the Philippines through the NTC. Failure to pay the fines or
penalties in any case within the time specified in the order or decision of the NTC shall be
deemed good and sufficient reason for the suspension of the certificate of said public
telecommunications entity until payment thereof shall have been made.

Sec.6. Implementing Rules and Regulations.- The National Telecommunications
Commission (NTC) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology
(DICT) shall establish requirements as deemed appropriate to ensure that ISPs meet the
minimum standards of internet connection speeds, which shall include standards
regarding connection, reception, pricing and billing practices to promote consumer rights
protection.

The NCT and DICT shall promulgate the necessary rules and regulations for the
effective implementation of the provisions of this Act.

Sec. 7. Separability Clause. — If any provision or portion of this Act is declared
unconstitutional, the remainder of this Act or any provision not thereby affected shall
remain in full force and effect.

Sec. 8. Repealing Clause. - All laws, decrees, executive orders, ordinances, rules,
regulations, and other issuances, or parts thereof, which are inconsistent with any
provision of this Act, are hereby repealed, amended, and/or modified accordingly.

Sec. 9. Effectivity. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.

Approved,