DICT launches redundant system for national broadband network

THE DEPARTMENT of Information and Communications Technologies (DICT) on Monday launched a redundant system designed to make the first phase of the government’s National Broadband Program (NBP) more resilient.

“Today, your information and communications technology department is launching the additional infrastructure or resilience road for Phase 1 of the NBP as part of our continued efforts to make the program sustainable,” said the secretary of the NBP. DICT, Gregorio B. Honasan II, at the ceremony.

“Providing fast, reliable and affordable digital connectivity to centers of economic activity in our country is at the heart of our efforts to rebuild the economy, which has been severely affected by the pandemic,” he said.

The department said the so-called “resilience route” is additional infrastructure that will serve as a redundancy and protection loop connecting to the international access gateway through Singapore.

“This will play a vital role in the continuity of Internet connectivity to the busiest areas of Metro Manila, Metro Cebu and Metro Davao, and soon all Filipinos, bridging the digital divide,” DICT said in a statement.

The NBP seeks to trigger policy and regulatory reforms, investing in broadband infrastructure such as the national fiber backbone, and stimulating demand for broadband.

The national fiber backbone component has three phases: illumination of the fiber on the national power transmission system, construction of the domestic submarine fiber to connect Luzon to the Visayas and the Visayas to Mindanao, and the completion of the national fiber backbone with several loops. – Arjay L. Balinbin