Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ----
Introduced by Representative Joseph Gilbert F. Violago 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
The 1987 Constitution enshrines that the State recognizes the vital role of 
communication and information in nation-building. 
According to the Speedtest Global Index as of May 2024, the median download
speed in the Philippines is at 32.12 Megabits per second (Mbps)1 for Mobile and 94.50
Mbps for fixed broadband2• For the fourth quarter of 2023, however, out of the three
big mobile players in the Philippines, only Smart has a median download speed of 3 7 .64
Mbp·s, followed by Globe at 26.44 Mbps, and DITO at 19.74 Mbps.
Meanwhile the global average is 52.48 Mbps3 of download speed for mobile, and 
93.67 Mbps for fixed broadband4 as of May 2024. In fact, Philippines ranks 83 out of 
14 7 countries for mobile speed, and 56 out of 14 7 countries for fixed broadband. 
Certainly, our country's figures pale in comparison to Qatar who has the fastest mobile 
speed of 329.37 Mbps, and Singpore with 289.98 Mbps for fixed broadband. 
In any case, only in metropolitan areas can consumers experience reliable
internet connection. Elsewhere in the country, consumers experience slow and
intermittent or even lack of connectivity. This lamentable experience for digital users is
unacceptable in this modem age where technology is at the behest of people. In fact,
according to Yahoo Finance, the Philippines is rank 18th in the list of highest internet
users in the world, with 58,300,000 Filipinos using the intemet5• However,
approximately 50% of the population still does not have the means to use the internet. 6
This bill seeks to mandate Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to provide a 
minimum download speed of 40 Megabits per second (Mbps) for mobile 
broadband/internet access and 90 Mbps for fixed and fixed wireless broadband/internet 
1 https://www.speedtest.net/global-index/ph ilippines#mobile
2 https://www .speedtest.net/ global-index/ph ilippines#fixed
3 https://www .speedtest.net/global-index#mobile
4 https://www .speedtest.net/global-index#fixed
5 https://finance. yahoo.com/news/25-countries-h ighest-number-i nternet-182553 7 46.html
6 Ibid.
July 24, 2024
8:00 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
Third Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. _________ 
Introduced by Representative Joseph Gilbert F. Violago 
AN ACT  
REQUIRING INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS (ISPs) TO DELIVER A 
MINIMUM STANDARD FOR INTERNET CONNECTION SPEED 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the “Minimum Internet Standards Act”. 
SECTION 2. Standards on Broadband/Internet Services. – Within two (2) years from 
the effectivity of this Act, all Internet Service Providers (ISPs) shall provide a minimum 
download speed of 40 Megabits per second (Mbps) for mobile broadband/internet 
access and 90 Mbps for fixed and fixed wireless broadband/internet access and work 
towards providing an average internet connection speed above the global average. 
In order to meet the prescribed minimum standards, ISPs shall modify, improve, or 
change their telecommunication lines and systems or expand their infrastructure to run 
on higher capacity bandwidths based on the number of subscribers demanding their 
services, with minimal to no interruption on their services. ISPs shall also prioritize 
expanding their infrastructure to rural areas to cater to consumers with no internet access 
or coverage. 
SECTION 3. Role of the NTC. – The National Telecommunications Commission 
(NTC) shall establish requirements as deemed necessary to ensure that ISPs meet the 
minimum standards in internet connection speed, which shall include standards 
regarding connection, reception, just pricing, and billing practices to protect the rights 
of consumers of internet services. 
SECTION 4. Penalties. – Any ISP who shall fail to comply with the minimum 
standards specified under Section 2 hereof or the rules and regulations promulgated 
thereunder, shall, upon conviction, be subject to the penalty of a fine of not less than 
Five hundred thousand pesos (Php500,000.00) but not exceeding Five million pesos 
(Php5,000,000.00). 
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SECTION 5. Implementing Rules and Regulations. – Within sixty (60) days from the 
effectivity of this Act, the NTC and the Department of Information and 
Communications Technology (DICT), shall formulate and prepare the necessary rules 
and regulations to implement the provisions of this Act.  
SECTION 6. Separability Clause. – If any provision or part of this Act is declared 
unconstitutional, the remaining parts or provisions not affected shall remain in full force 
and effect. 
SECTION 7. Repealing Clause. – All laws, executive orders, issuances, rules, and 
regulations inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified accordingly. 
SECTION 8. Effectivity Clause. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its 
publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation. 
Approved,