Push systemic digitization, adopt a connectivity rating system

May 24, 2023

Good connectivity is always an asset for any building, including malls, libraries, hotels, coffee shops, even airports. We need it to communicate and work productively from anywhere – even from outside our offices and our homes.

CitizenWatch Philippines calls on the government to work with the private sector in establishing an easy-to-understand connectivity rating system that will serve as a benchmark for property owners and government institutions in providing the right level of connectivity to the volume of their user traffic.

This rating system should be easy to understand and should be displayed prominently in public spaces to give people an idea of the quality of the Internet connection inside the premises.

We have long suffered a mismatch between demand for internet services in public spaces and the quality provided by those in charge of these spaces.

There is now an opportunity to change that. The administration of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., given its avowed commitment to digitally transform the country, should engage in a public-private collaboration that would establish a Connectivity Index Rating in all public and private buildings.

There is currently no means to ascertain the quality of connectivity on any given building anywhere in the Philippines. As a result, building tenants, customers, and the general public have no way of knowing whether they could even go online when they are out in these places. It’s become a guessing game, something that depends on luck.

It should not be so difficult to determine the number of foot traffic of an establishment and properly match this data to design optimal coverage and broadband network configurations that would provide a satisfactory experience for internet users in a particular location.