Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. ________ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
In today’s digital age, internet access is essential for economic development, education, 
healthcare, and governance. Affordable and accessible internet plays a crucial role in shaping 
the future of societies, driving innovation, and enabling citizens to fully participate in the global 
digital economy. Yet, despite its undeniable importance, many Filipinos, particularly in 
underserved and marginalized communities, still face significant barriers to internet access. 
This proposed bill seeks to address these barriers by creating policies that promote affordable 
and widespread internet access, thereby reducing the costs and expanding the coverage of 
internet services across the Philippines. 
The significance of reliable internet access for societal progress and economic stability 
cannot be overstated. Internet connectivity directly impacts the efficiency of government 
services and corporate operations, contributing to improved public sector governance and 
economic growth. This was especially evident during the COVID-19 pandemic when the entire 
country had to pivot to remote work and digital learning platforms. As the Philippines continues 
to recover and adapt to the new normal, reliable and affordable internet has become 
indispensable for both work-from-home arrangements and the continued delivery of education. 
However, several challenges hinder the broader accessibility of the internet. One of the 
key obstacles is the limited number of service providers, leading to a situation where demand 
for internet access far outstrips supply. This imbalance results in high prices for internet 
subscriptions while service quality, particularly in terms of speed and coverage, remains 
inadequate. Although there have been policy efforts, such as the National Telecommunications 
Commission (NTC) Memorandum Circular No. 002-09-2021, to reduce Spectrum User Fees 
(SUF) and address these issues, it remains clear that further reforms are necessary to ensure 
that internet access becomes affordable for all Filipinos, especially in underserved areas. 
At present, the government charges significant SUFs to telecommunications entities 
using Wi-Fi technology, despite the fact that such charges should only apply to those utilizing 
licensed frequencies or spectrums. These fees contribute to the high cost of internet plans and 
limit the ability of telecommunications companies to offer competitive pricing or affordable 
internet packages. While the NTC has made strides to reduce SUFs for certain radio 
frequencies, the current market conditions suggest that the complete removal of SUFs is 
needed to promote more competition and lower costs across the sector. 
3014
August 5, 2025
8:00 am


The proposed bill aligns with international best practices, as recommended by the 
International Telecommunications Union (ITU), which advocates for the elimination of SUFs on 
Wi-Fi. Many countries—including the United States, Australia, Singapore, South Korea, and 
Indonesia—have adopted similar policies to reduce the cost of internet services and boost the 
growth of Wi-Fi infrastructure. By removing SUFs for telecommunications entities in the 
Philippines, the bill creates a more favorable environment for expanding internet access, 
especially in remote and underserved areas where private sector involvement has been limited. 
A core feature of the bill is its focus on enhancing the sustainability of the internet service 
sector. By removing SUFs, the government reduces the operating costs for internet service 
providers, making it easier for them to invest in infrastructure, especially in areas where 
connectivity is scarce.  
Ultimately, this bill represents a comprehensive solution to the pressing issue of internet 
accessibility in the Philippines. By eliminating the SUF, promoting Wi-Fi technologies, and 
ensuring the responsible regulation of telecommunications infrastructure, the bill lays the 
groundwork for a more inclusive and sustainable digital future for the country. Its passage is a 
timely and necessary step toward ensuring that no Filipino is left behind in the digital age. 
In conclusion, this bill addresses the urgent need for affordable internet access in the 
Philippines, offering a practical, sustainable, and inclusive policy framework that benefits all 
Filipinos, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status. By passing the “Sana All May 
Internet Act”, the government will not only enhance the quality of life for its citizens but also lay 
the foundation for future economic growth, social development, and national progress. 
 
                       
                                                                                      MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
TWENTIETH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
House Bill No. __________ 
INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE MARLYN L. PRIMICIAS-AGABAS 
AN ACT 
PROVIDING FOR CHEAPER AND MORE ACCESSIBLE INTERNET FOR ALL 
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 "Sana All May Internet Act". 
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. - 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. 
As a scarce public resource, the State shall manage the use of the radio 
frequency spectrum in the interest of the public and in accordance with international 
agreements and conventions to which the Philippines is a signatory. Towards 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. 
SEC. 3. Objectives. - This Act aims to: 
a.
Establish a policy and regulation that will reduce to zero the spectrum user fee (SUF)
paid by telecommunications entities to the national government, to enable the
proliferation of the 2 Wi-Fi technology usage and infrastructure development, and
eventually lower the cost of delivering telecommunications services to end users;
b.
Promote the acceleration of internet use in the country and the expansion of Wi-Fi
technology and infrastructure in unserved and underserved areas so the poor and
underprivileged will have access to reliable, accessible and affordable connectivity;
c.
Encourage and empower the small players in the industry to provide affordable internet
services especially in the unserved and underserved areas; and
d.
Adopt a license-free, zero SUF policy in accordance with best international practices,
and protect public interest by limiting the use of outdoor Wi-Fi frequency access points
3014


or base stations and links to the government and duly enfranchised public 
telecommunications entities. 
SEC. 4. Definition of Terms. - As used in this Act: 
a. Internet refers to the biggest worldwide global computer network providing a wide 
variety of information and communication facilities, consisting of interconnected 
networks using standardized communication protocols; 
b. Internet service provider or ISP refers to an entity with or without a franchise, registered 
as a value-added service provider with the National Telecommunications Commission 
(NTC) and authorized to build, install, operate and maintain a network to offer internet 
access services to the public for a fee; 
c. Open and unprotected frequency refers to the frequencies at 2.4-2.4835 GHz, 5.150-
5.350 GHz, and 5.470-5.850 GHz. of the radio spectrum. Any frequency outside of 
these frequencies is a licensed frequency especially if it is included in the frequencies 
listed in the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) 
policies and NTC Memorandum Circulars and issuances which are part of the National 
Radio Frequency Allocation Table (NRFAT). 
d. 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; 
e. Radio frequency spectrum refers to the part of the electromagnetic spectrum with 
frequencies from 30Hz to 300GHz, used for communications which includes 
frequencies for wireless telecommunications technologies such as radio, television, and 
radar. 
f. 
Spectrum user fee (SUF) refers to the fee imposed by the government regulator in the 
use of a particular frequency; and 
g. Wi-Fi or Wireless fidelity refers to a type of wireless local access network technology 
that is based on the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers’ (IEEE) wireless 
communication standard 802.11 family and uses the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz frequency 
band.3 
SEC. 5. Coverage. - This Act shall cover 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 NTC may 
deem open and unprotected after due notice and hearing. This Act shall in no way 
amend or repeal Republic Act No. 10929, otherwise known as “The Free Internet 
Access in Public Places Act”. 
SEC. 6. Establishing a Zero Spectrum User Fee. - The State through the DICT and 
the NTC shall not impose a levy, charge, or collect fees from PTEs and other users for 
their use of frequencies as specified in this Act: Provided, That PTEs shall not interfere 
with each other’s Wi-Fi airwaves or with any licensed radio stations during their 
operations, thereby effectively establishing a zero SUF. 
SEC. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR). - Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectiveness of this Act, the DICT as the lead agency, together with the NTC and 


representatives from the telecommunications sector shall promulgate the necessary 
rules and regulations for the effective implementation of the provisions of this Act. 
SEC. 8. Joint Congressional Oversight Committee (JCOC). - There is hereby 
created a Joint Congressional Oversight Committee to monitor the effective 
implementation of this Act, recommend the necessary remedial or administrative 
measures and perform such other duties and functions as may be necessary to attain 
the objectives of this Act. 
The oversight committee shall be composed of eight (8) members, with the 
Chairpersons of the Senate Committee on Public Services and the House of 
Representatives’ Committee on Information and Communications Technology as Co-
Chairpersons. The three (3) members from each House, shall be designated by the 
Senate President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives, respectively: 
Provided, that at least one (1) member from each House shall be nominated by their 
respective Minority Leaders. The secretariat of the JCOC shall be the existing 
secretariat personnel of the Committees concerned of both Houses of Congress. 
SEC. 9. Suppletory Application. - The provisions of Republic Act No. 10844 also 
known as the “Department of Information and Communications Technology Act of 2015” 
and other laws consistent with this Act shall have suppletory application. 
SEC. 10. Separability Clause. - If any provision of this Act is declared unconstitutional 
or invalid, other parties or provisions hereof not affected thereby shall continue to be in 
full force and effect. 
SEC. 11. Repealing Clause. - All laws, presidential decrees, executive orders, 
presidential proclamations, rules and regulations or parts thereof contrary to or 
inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed, superseded or modified accordingly. 
SEC. 12. Effectivity. - This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in 
the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,