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The Department of Information and Communications Technology is eyeing the provision of free internet services at 67 RORO ports nationwide
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The approved budget for the project is P37.064 million
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29 RORO ports in Luzon, 18 in Visayas, and 20 in Mindanao are the identified WiFi access points
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A pre-bid conference for the project will be held on September 10, fixing the submission deadline and opening of bids on September 23
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is eyeing the provision of free internet services for passengers at roll on, roll off (RORO) port terminals nationwide.
According to a DICT bid document, the approved budget is P37.064 million. The project will furnish 67 RORO ports with free internet connectivity for travellers.
The winning contractor for the project will provide WiFi access to 29 RORO ports in Luzon, 18 in Visayas, and 20 in Mindanao.
Should the contractor use satellite access, the required download speed must range from 100 Mbps to 220 Mbps, and the minimum upload speed must be 10 Mbps. Latency (loading time for data transfer) must be at a maximum of 100 milliseconds (ms).
Should the contractor use fiber optics, the required download bandwidth is 150 Mbps, and a latency of 50 ms at a maximum.
The DICT said it will hold a pre-bid conference for the project on September 10, fixing the submission deadline and opening of bids on September 23.
Once the agency issues the notice of award, the selected contractor must proceed with internet access installation within 30 days. The said project will last for four months, or until December 31, 2024, whichever is earlier.
The project’s funding will come from the special account in the general fund for the Free Public Internet Access Program, according to the government’s information and communications body.
The 67 RORO ports that will be covered by the provision of internet connectivity services are:
Luzon (29)
Region II – Basco and Aparri
Region IV-A – Batangas, Port of Batangas, Alabat Seaport, Lucena, and Real Seaport
Region IV-B – Balanacan, Sta. Cruz, San Jose, Calapan, Puerto Galera, Bulalacao, Coron, Culion, Cuyo, El Nido, Tablas, and Romblon
NCR – Manila North Harbor
Region V – Tabaco, Legazpi, Camarines, Catanduanes, Masbate, San Pascual, Bulan, Matnog, and Pilar Pier
Visayas (18)
Region VI – Culasi, Jordan, Dumangas, Estancia, Banago, and San Carlos
Region VII — Tagbilaran, Talibon, Ubay, Dumaguete, Larena, Siquijor Port Terminal, Port of Danao, and Port of Santander
Region VIII – Ormoc, Palompon, Liloan Ferry, and San Ricardo
Mindanao (20)
BARMM – Jolo and Bongao
Region IX – Isabela, Dapitan, Dipolog City, Liloy-Lamao, Sindangan, Pagadian, and Zamboanga
Region X – Guinsiliban, Benoni, Port of Balbagon, Iligan, Plaridel, and Cagayan de Oro
Region XI – Babac
Region XIII – Nasipit, Libjo, Dapa, and Surigao
READ: DOTr eyes P1.4B funding for 14 roro ports in 2025
