SENATOR Sherwin Gatchalian reiterated that maximizing the use of satellite technology to widen internet access nationwide will boost the rollout of digital technology in public schools.

In pushing for Senate Bill 2250 or the Satellite-Based Technologies for Internet Connectivity Act of 2021, Gatchalian stressed expanding access to satellite-based technologies is an alternative connectivity solution to ensure universal access to the internet.

“Habang hindi pa nakakabalik ang mga mag-aaral sa eskwelahan, mas maiging ngayon pa lang ay inilalatag na natin ang mga paghahanda para sa itinataguyod nating digital education sa bansa,” he said.

Under the measure, government organizations, public and non-profit private institutions, and volunteer organizations engaged in education, health, finance, agriculture, environmental management, climate change management, disaster preparedness and crisis response will be allowed to own and operate satellite-based technology to aid and augment their activities.

An internet service provider will send an internet signal to a satellite outside the earth. The satellite will then send the signal to the satellite dishes installed in the houses of the users.

The lawmaker explained that his measure complements the Public Education Network which the Department of Education and the Department of Information and Communications Technology aim to put up.

The initiative aims to speed up the installation of digital connectivity in public schools and DepEd offices.

“Sa isinusulong nating pagpapalawig sa paggamit ng satellite-based technologies, bawat paaralan at bawat tahanan ay maaari na nating maabot,” said Gatchalian, chairman of the Senate Committee on Basic Education, Arts and Culture.

According to the 2019 National ICT Household Survey, 82.3 percent of households do not have access to the internet.