Free Public WiFi Now Available in Tawi-Tawi

Free Public WiFi Now Available in Tawi-Tawi. The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is making significant strides in bridging the digital gap by extending free internet access to Tawi-Tawi — the southernmost province of the Philippines. This major step aims to enable locals to connect, learn, do business, and communicate more effectively in today digital era.

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Under its Free Public Internet Access Program (FPIAP), DICT successfully installed 53 free WiFi sites in 25 locations across Tawi-Tawi. This forms a crucial move toward delivering much-needed connectivity in a region that has historically dealt with poor internet service — some even calling it the worst in the country.

The FPIAP sites in Tawi-Tawi are powered by Data Lake Inc., Handlink Inc., and We Are IT Philippines Inc., companies recognized for their expertise in delivering reliable and strong internet signals in challenging environments.

Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Aguda stressed the significance of this initiative. According to him, the Free Public Internet Access Program is designed to empower underserved markets, enable quality internet connection, and foster greater digital equity.

He explained, “This is a crucial step toward closing the digital gap. We want Tawi-Tawi’s community to enjoy the opportunities that come with a strong internet connection — from education and health care to employment and financial transactions — especially in today’s growing digital landscape.”

Tawi-Tawi, situated at the far south of the Philippines — much closer to Malaysia than to Metro Manila — faces numerous infrastructure and connectivity challenges. According to Ookla, the average internet speed in the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao (BARMM), which includes Tawi-Tawi, stands at 16.2 Mbps as of 2024. This falls far short of Metro Manila’s average speed of 63.33 Mbps, reflecting a significant digital gap.

In addition to Free Public Internet Access, DICT also turned over a telemedicine platform powered by mWell to aid health care delivery in Tawi-Tawi. This platform aims to enable remote consultation and digital health care services, especially in areas where there’s limited access to hospitals and doctors.

Furthermore, DICT, through its Tech4Ed Program, provided technological equipment to Abdel Mustafa Elementary School in Sitangkai — the southernmost municipality of the Philippines — which is just a short boat ride away from Malaysia. This equipment is expected to aid both teachers and students in their educational endeavors.

This Free Public Internet Access rollout, alongside other initiatives by DICT, signals a new era for Tawi-Tawi — a future where fast and reliable internet helps empower its people and connect them to a world of opportunity.

Through education, health care, financial services, and digital governance, the FPIAP aims to make a real, measurable difference in the lives of Tawi-Tawi’s residents, putting them on equal footing with the rest of the country in a growing digital landscape.

The Free Public WiFi rollout in Tawi-Tawi marks a significant step toward closing the digital gap, empowering communities, and unlocking new opportunities in education, health care, financial services, and governance for a more connected and equitable future.