Over 60K sites eyed as DICT ramps up public internet access

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) expects to operate over 60,000 free WiFi sites nationwide by 2026, with the expansion set to prioritize barangay halls, health centers, and unconnected public schools.

DICT Secretary Henry Aguda said the number of free WiFi locations managed by the agency could reach between 60,000 and 70,000 next year, exceeding current rollout targets.

As of May, the DICT operates 18,849 free WiFi sites in 9,769 locations, serving an estimated 11.2 million devices across remote areas.

Current plans aim to scale this to 21,000 sites by the end of 2025, 25,000 in 2026, 37,500 in 2027, and 50,000 in 2028. However, Aguda said the agency is ahead of schedule, largely due to the accelerated expansion of coverage to local government and healthcare facilities.

By 2026, the agency will focus on extending connectivity to more than 12,000 health centers nationwide. The expansion supports medical services by enabling internet access for telemedicine, electronic health records, and coordination with national health systems.

The DICT is also prioritizing the installation of free WiFi in nearly 12,000 public schools that currently lack connectivity, following President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s directive during his 2025 State of the Nation Address.

To meet these goals, the agency is pursuing a two-pronged strategy. First, it will leverage pricing arrangements with satellite internet provider Starlink, which has offered enterprise-grade service to the government at retail cost.

Second, the DICT aims to complete the remaining phases of the National Fiber Backbone ahead of schedule. The agency recently launched the second and third legs of the project, spanning 1,800 kilometers across Cagayan Valley, Southern Tagalog, Bicol Region, Visayas, and Mindanao.

These phases build on the first segment of the backbone, which covers 1,200 kilometers from Laoag, Ilocos Norte to Quezon City. Once fully operational, the system will provide critical infrastructure to expand household and public-sector connectivity.

The Free Public Internet Access Program, as listed in the national budget, will require at least %u20B13 billion in funding next year to support maintenance and expansion efforts, according to the DICT.