The government has expanded the National Fiber Backbone (NFB) project to its second and third phases with the aim of bringing faster and more reliable internet to more remote areas.
“Today, having access to fast internet is not a privilege, it is a necessity,” said President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. during the launch event in Leyte. “It is needed for learning, work, business, and staying connected with loved ones.”
Phases 2 and 3 of the NFB add about 1,800 kilometers of new fiber optic cables, extending the digital infrastructure to Cagayan Valley, Calabarzon, Bicol, Eastern Visayas, and Mindanao, and another 105 kilometers of middle-mile connections to link more areas to the network.
Phase 1, launched in April 2024, covered more than 1,200 kilometers from Laoag, Ilocos Norte, to Quezon City. Once the project is completed, it is expected to benefit over 600 government offices and improve connectivity for an estimated 17 million people.
The entire effort will reach at least 20 provinces, 1,000 government agencies, and about 1.39 million users nationwide, according to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
The expansion will also add 31 National Grid Corporation of the Philippines nodes, enabling internet speeds of up to 100 gigabits per second. Officials said the improved infrastructure is expected to lower operating costs for telecommunications companies and internet providers, which could make services more affordable for the public.
“Fast, reliable internet should not be a luxury. It should be a basic service, like roads, bridges, and electricity,” said DICT Secretary Henry Aguda. “And like those, it must be built strong, fast, secure, and affordable.”
Image from the Presidential Communications Office
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