For some Internet users, the deadline for the implementation of the free public Wi-Fi in the Philippines is looming as the local department to take charge of this project earlier said implementation will start this month.
Users gaining access to free public Wi-Fi in the Philippines is a project headed by the local Department of Science and Technology's Information and Communications Technology office, according to a report by CNN Philippines. They are set to provide free public Wi-Fi access to different public places in the country.
Among the selected public spaces that will be covered by the free public WiFi in the Philippines are public parks, public primary and secondary central schools, public libraries, state universities and colleges, train stations, airports and more.
CNN Philippines earlier reported that the project will be operational in all metropolitan areas starting July 2015. With netizens expecting to gain access to the free public Wi-Fi in various places in the Philippines anytime soon, they may have to wait a bit longer.
Franchise Herald asked some train commuters using the MRT system, as well as those who frequent public spaces, and said that no free public Wi-Fi has appeared yet on their devices.
Cyril Anaud, an avid Internet user who spends almost the whole day online, said he has not seen a wireless access spot on his device but believes that the implementation of the project is great for those who need to be online wherever they want to.
"It is great to have a public Wi-Fi, so you can be online anywhere," he said. "Sadly, I haven't seen any public Wi-Fi yet on my device."
Blogger and tech enthusiast Tonyo Cruz, who rides the MRT train system daily, said that there should be high reliability of this free public Wi-Fi service in the Philippines.
"Public Wi-Fi systems in Hong Kong and Singapore should provide a good example," he said. "It should also be secure. No passwords or registration should be required. [They] should not collect and store user data in whatever form."
However, there is no assurance that users will receive the Internet speed in the free public Wi-Fi project, CNN Philippines reported.
The project reportedly states that it will serve 105,000 users all allotted 256 kbps once competed, which is among the lowest speed for a broadband service. Users can view emails and check out some light-loaded websites, but cannot stream videos without buffering.
"[The local department] should support the passage of the public Wi-Fi bill, so that efforts could have full force of the law and additional funds," Cruz further said.
