BAGUIO CITY (PIA) - - The Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) is bringing in a 10 Giga Bits Per Second (GBPS) of wireless internet bandwidth to boost the internet connectivity in the Cordillera Administrative Region.
The DICT- CAR presented the Cordillera Wireless Backbone Network proposal during the second quarter meeting of the Sub – committee on Communications of the Regional Development Council’s Infrastructure Committee here last May 12.
Engr. Alexander Badua of DICT – CAR Technical Operations Division said the project aims to accelerate the internet connectivity of all the provinces in the region.
Through the Wireless Backbone Network, DICT can also set-up integration points for its other programs and projects like the Free Wifi for All, iBPLS (Integrated Business Permits and Licensing System), Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) and Tech4ED (Technology for Economic Development), among others, he added.
Badua outlined the importance of establishing partnerships, both with the public and private sector, in terms of identifying strategic locations for relay sites, and identification of free – internet access beneficiaries for public and/or organizational operations use for the realization of the project.
The DICT – CAR is currently surveying/listing existing government facilities with the location and coordinates, privately owned facilities that are possible for co – location such as local electric company’s fiber optics cable, radio systems, communication towers, and and vacant lots that are possible sites for tower/relay station.
DICT-CAR is pushing for co – location facilities among local government units (LGUs), national government agencies and private entities for the 10 GBPS Wireless Backbone Network.
The DICT already has initial agreement with the provincial LGU of Benguet and is also planning to talk with the others for such endeavor.
The RDC Sub – Committee on Communications meeting also tackled other updates on the National Broadband Program and presentations from DITO Telecommunity and HTECH Corporation on their programs and services in the Cordillera.
Meanwhile, DICT – CAR officially welcomed its newly appointed regional director Pinky Tumaliuan Jimenez on May 15. OIC Regional Director Rey Parnacio turned over the leadership in a simple ceremony. (JDP/CCD-PIA CAR)
