Partnering with private providers will ensure stable Wi-Fi connectivity and raise Internet speed in Cebu, One Cebu gubernatorial bet Winston Garcia said.
During last Saturday’s Cebu Bloggers Summit, Garcia said he prefers providers that can offer a fiber optics network that can ensure strong and stable Wi-Fi connectivity to the public.
“These providers will be from both here and abroad to encourage better services and more options,” he told the audience.
Garcia also presented his programs to the crowd, including his plans for a 500-hectare tourism zone in Cordova.
Aside from health care and inadequate infrastructure projects in Cebu under the present administration, Garcia said he intends to address the “painfully slow and intermittent Internet connection in the province.”
In the Philippines, the average Internet connection speed is at 3.64 megabytes per second while other nations in the Asian region have speeds of 4 mbps up to 12 mbps.
“The problem is especially true in Cebu. Lacking the necessary speed and capabilities like that of our Asian neighbors prohibits Cebuanos from further expanding their capabilities in the online world—considering how generally tech-savvy Filipinos are,” Garcia said.
He said this is also important because the Internet presents a “treasure trove” of opportunities for students, workers, and even entrepreneurs.
Garcia said he doesn’t only want to imagine what a stronger Internet backbone could do to Cebu, but he wants to make it a reality.
“To do this, I plan to push for private companies to see the potential in Cebu to inspire them to connect us with fiber optic Internet, much like what is happening in other key cities in the country,” he said.
He added that fiber optics seems to be “where the future of Internet is headed” and that he wants to lead Cebu in that same progressive direction as well.
If elected governor, the former Government Service Insurance System (GSIS) chief said he will invite service providers capable of setting up a stable Wi-Fi backbone in Cebu.