The Connectivity Matrix: Dissecting the Konektadong Pinoy Act and National Fiber Backbone

The Marcos administration has rolled out a multi-pronged strategy to digitize the archipelago, anchored on two massive pillars: the Konektadong Pinoy Act and the National Fiber Backbone (NFB) Project. This report breaks down how these initiatives aim to lower costs and expand coverage.

The President recently announced the completion of Phases 1, 2, and 3 of the National Fiber Backbone (NFB) Project, establishing this government-owned network as the national data "superhighway" to reduce reliance on commercial backbones. Phase 1 covered the initial lay-out from Laoag to Quezon City, while Phases 2 and 3 extended connectivity to South Luzon and Visayas, with the goal of lowering bandwidth costs for local internet service providers (ISPs) and passing those savings to consumers. Experts agree that because the government built this backbone, internet speeds in the provinces are expected to match those of South Korea within six months, as the necessary infrastructure is now in place to support high-speed transmission across previously unserved corridors.

This law addresses the physical hurdles of connectivity. It mandates "infrastructure sharing," meaning Telco A can lease space on Telco B’s tower. This significantly lowers capital expenditure (CAPEX). It also addresses the "Right-of-Way" conflicts that often result in fiber cuts. By standardizing permits, the Act aims to prevent the arbitrary digging that disrupts services.

Complementing the hard infrastructure are social programs. The Free Public Internet Access Program has activated over 9,500 sites. Meanwhile, the Bayanihan SIM Card Project targets the education sector. By subsidizing data for students, the government is treating connectivity as a learning tool.

Despite these advances, the elephant in the room remains power interruptions. A fiber line is useless without electricity. If we do not solve the power crisis immediately, then all these fiber optic cables are nothing more than expensive clotheslines. The Department of Energy is now being pulled into the connectivity conversation to ensure that the digital highway is always lit.