At a hearing conducted by the Committee on Science and Technology in the Senate, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) revealed the initial details of its P75-billion national broadband plan, which it said is deployable in about two to three years.

The DICT stated that their preferred option is to invest in Internet infrastructure, like fiber-optic cables, especially in underserved and hard-to-reach areas.

Under this option, the government will also use the existing infrastructure of current players while encouraging new entrants to develop new Internet infrastructure.

According to Sen. Paolo Benigno ?Bam? Aquino IV, the DICT will come out with a final national broadband plan by the second quarter of 2017.

“The success of our National Broadband Plan to improve Internet services lies in strong partnerships between government and the private sector,” said Aquino.

On top of the national broadband plan, Aquino said the recently passed Philippine Competition Act will help create a climate that will attract foreign players to partner with Filipino companies, while the Free Internet Access in Public Spaces bill includes a provision to cut red tape for permits.

“The policies we’re working on will also create a more competitive environment and promote ease of doing business to make it easier for new players to come,” he added.