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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE ) 2
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES ) z UATE
First Regular Session )

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B.No.__ 2987

Introduced by Representative Ralph G. Recto

AN ACT
REQUIRING INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS TO DELIVER A MINIMUM
STANDARD FOR INTERNET CONNECTION SPEED

EXPLANATORY NOTE

In this digital age, the access to a wide range of information is reached in a
few clicks in the Internet. The Human Rights Council of the United Nations General
Assembly has, in fact, affirmed the promotion, protection, and enjoyment of human
rights on the Internet which enables individuals to “exercise their right to freedom of
opinion and expression.”

The internet has a pivotal role in advancing economic development and
improving quality of life. Aside from the apparent value of facilitating faster and
easier communication, the benefits reaped from internet connectivity is boundless.
The internet improves access to education by accelerating knowledge-sharing and by
providing students and teachers with the gateway to a plethora of education
resources online.

In the business sector, the internet empowers businesses to compete on a
global level. Small and medium enterprises benefit tremendously from access to
internet by reducing barriers to market entry. It is also essential in generating jobs,
accelerating business development, and providing new opportunities for innovation
and expansion.

* The Promotion, Protection, and Enjoyment of Human Rights on the Internet - UN General Assembly
Resolution (2018) _https://documents-ddsnv.un.orir/doc/UNDOC/GEN/G _18/215/67/PDF/G1821567 pdf,
Accessed on 06 June 2022


The internet also enhances the effectiveness of disaster relief efforts by
disseminating information online, implementing early-warning systems, and
providing downloadable interactive catastrophe maps to reduce the vulnerability of
areas prone to disaster. These types of information are extremely useful for
preparation purposes due to the disaster-prone nature of our country.

However, access to the internet alone does not guarantee the realization of
these benefits under poor and sporadic internet speed connections. The world is
quickly moving towards digital age, and consequently, one of the main challenges is
to get quick and accurate information through high-speed connections and bigger
bandwidths. Thus, any party that does not connect to high-speed internet access is
certainly left behind.

According to a study published in an International Telecommunication Union
(ITU) report, there is a significant correlation between broadband speeds and the
impact to economic development. The report states that in low- and middle-income
economies, a 10% increase in broadband penetration yielded an additional 1.38%in
GDP growth.2

Ookla’s Speedtest Global Index report showed that the Philippines’ average
download speed for fixed broadband improved by 52% from 36.31 Megabits per
second (Mbps) in April 2021 to 55.21 Mbps in April 2022, while the country’s average
mobile broadband download speed also improved by 41% from 13.82 Mbps in April
2021 to 19.45 Mbps in April 2022. However, there is still a need to ensure that this
standard is maintained for the majority of the service users. On the other hand,
global download speed averages at 30.75 Mbps for mobile and 63.46 Mbps for fixed
broadband.?

This bill recognizes the importance of high-speed internet connections in
increasing productivity and the growing demands for connectivity. Thus, it mandates
internet service providers (ISPs) to deliver minimum internet connection speeds of
30 Mbps for mobile broadband/internet access and 65 Mbps for fixed and fixed
wireless broadband/internet access to their subscribers. ISPs shall ensure that they

22 Impact of Broadband on the Economy (2012),  https://www.itu.int/ITU-D/treg/broadband/ITU-B8-
Reports_Impact-of-Broadband-on-the-Economy.pdf. Accessed on 06 June 2022.


continuously improve their system and work towards providing an average internet
connection speed above global average.

Filipinos are quick to adopt to new technologies. Aside from being dubbed as
the SMS capital of the world, the Philippines has also been ranked by social media
firms Hootsuite and We are Social in its Digital 2022 April Global Statshot Report, as
the world’s heaviest internet users. The average amount of time spent by Filipino
internet users on any device is 10 hours and 23 minutes, while the worldwide
average is 6 hours and 53 minutes. This should be supported by ISPs providing
faster and wider services to cope with the increasing demands of its subscribers.

Faster internet speed certainly comes with a price, but faster connection will
be economical in the long run. The cost of bigger bandwidths is definitely higher but
long-term gains become more evident due to unparalleled convenience, increased
productivity and better communication between the sender and the receiver.

Setting minimum standards for internet connection speed not only ensures
that consumers get the best quality for the service that they pay for, but also makes
the country connected to our fast-changing world.

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

PHG,


NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE )

REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES )
First Regular Session )
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
H.B.No,_2967

Introduced by Representative Ralph G. Recto

AN ACT
REQUIRING INTERNET SERVICE PROVIDERS 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. Short Title. - This Act shall be known as the “Bilis Konek Act”.

Sec. 2. Declaration of Policy. - The State recognizes the vital role of
communication and information in nation building and as such, it shall implement
measures to provide communication standards suitable to the needs and aspirations
of the nation.

The State gives priority to the protection of the interests of consumers and
the establishment of standards of conduct for business and industry for
advancements in the field of telecommunications and connectivity.

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.

Sec. 3. Definition of Terms. ~ For the purpose of this Act, the terms:

a. Bandwidth shall refer to the measurement of data rate of available or

consumed data communication resources expressed in bits per second or

multiples of it;

b. Broadband shall refer to a transmission medium which enables high-speed

Internet access transmitted through various technologies such as the Digital


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Subscriber Line (DSL), Cable Modem, Fiber Optics, Wireless, Satellite,

Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax), and White Space;

c. Internet Service Provider or ISP shall refer to a commercial entity with a

nationwide franchise that enables 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

d. Public Telecommunications Entity or PTE shall refer 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. Standards on Broadband/Internet Service. — Within two (2) years from
the effectivity of this Act, all ISPs shall provide a minimum internet download speed
of 30 Megabits per second (Mbps) for mobile broadband/internet access and 65
Mbps for fixed and fixed wireless broadband/internet access and work towards
providing an average internet connection speed above global average.

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 National Telecommunications Commission (NTC)
shall, by regulation, establish requirements as deemed appropriate 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
promote and protect the rights of consumers of internet services.

Sec. 6. Penalties. - Any ISP who shall not meet the minimum standards
specified under Section 4 hereof or the regulations promulgated thereunder, shall,
upon conviction, be subject to the penalty of a fine of not less than Two hundred
thousand pesos (P200,000.00) but not exceed Two million pesos (P2,000,000.00).

Sec. 7. Implementing Rules and Regulations. ~ Within sixty (60) days upon
the effectivity of this Act, the NTC and the Department of Information and
Communications Technology (DICT) shall promulgate the necessary rules and
regulations for the effective implementation of this Act.


Sec. 8. 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. 9. Repealing Clause. — All laws, decrees, 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. 10. Effectivity. — This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its
Publication in the Official Gazette or in at least two (2) national newspapers of
general circulation.

Approved,