NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
)
First Regular Session
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
HOUSE BILL NO. ____
Introduced by REPRESENTATIVE VIRGILIO S. LACSON
EXPLANATORY NOTE
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 are 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 102nd 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 are 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. 
VIRGILIO S. LACSON
Manila Teachers Party-list 
July 26, 2022
1:50 pm
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NINETEENTH CONGRESS OF THE
)
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES
)
First Regular Session
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
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 the “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
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c.
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. 
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 not less than 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,