Converge ICT Solutions Inc. (Converge) teamed up with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to provide free WiFi connection in select municipalities of Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur, and La Union.

DICT has awarded Converge the contract to provide free Wi-Fi connectivity to 36 municipal sites in these three provinces, aligning with the government’s mission to establish digital connectivity throughout the Philippines.

“This partnership will enable us to provide fast and reliable internet connectivity to all Local Government Units (LGU) in the provinces of Ilocos Sur, La Union, and Ilocos Norte Second District,” Engr. Reynaldo Sy, director of Regional Office 1, DICT, said in a statement. “We believe that this project will help us bridge the digital divide and empower our citizens to stay connected, access vital information, and participate in the digital economy.”

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To date, DICT has activated over 4,000 free WiFi stations across 17 regions, 75 provinces, and the National Capital Region (NCR) as part of the Free WiFi for All Program.

Internet connection in PH

“Converge has been hard at work fast-tracking the layout of our fiber optic cables across the country to reach geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs),” said Jesus Romero, COO of Converge. “Internet use has been integral in our everyday lives as well as the economic growth of our country, and we remain committed to working hand in hand with the Philippine government to fiber-power each Filipino household and business.”

According to the 2019 National Information and Communications Technology Household Survey (NICTHS) conducted in collaboration with the Philippine Statistical Research and Training Institute (PSRTI), a significant number of Filipinos still lack internet access due to limited connectivity networks.

In the Philippines, only 48% of Filipinos consistently use the internet, with access available to only 18% of households.

The partnership between DICT and Converge was formalized through a contract signing event held at DICT’s Region 1 Office in Bauang, La Union. Attendees at the event included Mary Jane Nerona, DICT Region 1 OIC Chief (Technical Operations Division); the Head of the Procuring Entity at DICT; DICT Region 1 Director Engr. Reynaldo T. Sy; Evangeline Aquino, Converge Enterprise Public Sector Unit Head; and Jonathan Arenas, Converge Key Account Manager.