SMALL and medium enterprises (SMEs) are encouraged to use information and communications technology (ICT) in their businesses as the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is starting to roll out its nationwide free Wi-Fi pilot project.
DOST Secretary Mario Montejo said that he hopes more SMEs will tap into the many opportunities presented by technology especially with the start of the free Wi-Fi project, which will ensure easier access to the Internet.
The free Wi-Fi project will cover 967 municipalities, 3,269 schools, 202 rural health units, 59 major rails, 21 seaports, 10 airports, 736 local government units, 141 national government agencies, 125 state universities and 43 major cities, said Montejo during last Tuesday’s Digital Strategies for Development Summit in Cebu City.
“The budget this year is P1.4 billion to start rolling out in the areas we have identified which includes Cebu.
Hopefully, we can help bring technology closer to the SMEs,” he said.
The Free WiFi services will be set up in public offices or establishments where people can easily connect to the Internet.
Based on DOST data, Internet penetration in the country was only 50 percent and the agency’s target is to reach a 99 percent penetration rate.
However, Seok Vong Yoon of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) said that it will take more than putting in place the infrastructure for the ICT.
“There should be a comprehensive policy and strategy. These include not only investments in infrastructure but also regulatory reforms. (It’s) more of establishing an enabling environment for the investors,” he said.
“The market should be more open to encourage more competition which in the end will benefit everyone and countries can start seeing more people using the Internet as a tool for business, to improve services for the public and private sector and more. Eventually we can achieve inclusive growth,” Seok said.
Meanwhile, The International Telecommunication Union (ITU) will conduct a case study on the use of ICT and how it can support SMEs in the Philippines.
The Philippines is a large market with a growing ICT industry, and the 130-member states of the ITU would like to learn how this can benefit the Philippines’ SME industry, said ITU Secretary-General Houlin Zhao.