THE DEPARTMENT of Information and Communications Technology said it will improve internet connectivity to serve the Filipino people better by establishing a fiber optic network.

DICT Secretary Gregorio Honasan II said internet speeds in the country have gotten faster in recent years but can still improve through fiber optic cables and cellular tower infrastructure.

“We need to aim higher and the country can definitely do better. No excuses, we take full responsibility for the current situation that our telecommunications and internet connectivity are in,” Honasan said during the budget hearings at the House of Representatives.

Based on latest data by metrics service Ookla, the Philippines has improved in internet speed, which had 216.94 percent increase in fixed broadband and 127.82 percent increase in mobile internet from July 2016 to July 2020.

According to the data, the country now registers an average of 25.07Mbps and 16.95Mbps for fixed broadband and mobile internet, respectively.

Meanwhile, according to tech reviews, the average internet speed suggested for video conferencing is around 1 to 4Mbps, while standard definition and high-definition video streaming were around 3 to 4Mbps and 5 to 8Mbps while voice over internet protocol only requires 90 to 156 kbps.

The ICT chief also said they should not depend on private internet service providers but instead, they should do their work too.

“We should not leave the fate of our national ICT infrastructure to the private sector only. It is high time for a government-owned network that’s built even in remote communities, not based on their market viability, but with a mission to provide equal opportunity for all,” Honasan said.