We rely heavily on the internet for everything and anything these days, and the concept of online buffering is already an unfathomable one for many of us. But for people in the Philippines’ rural and remote communities who lack adequate internet connectivity, connecting with a video call to the rest of the world or doing something as simple as submitting homework is just not feasible.
Like many other Asian countries, the Philippines’ digital age renders seamless connectivity a luxury. Not only the fact that 32% of the demography are offline, but also that not everybody has access to the same frequency or service quality.
Access is particularly limited for the 9.4 million people who live in the “last mile.” According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and Thinking Machines Data Science analysis, only 9.5% of Filipinos in last-mile zones (living more than 2 kilometers from a significant road infrastructure) live within the decent range of cell sites. As per the same research, the highest group without adequate mobile speeds is Central Visayas.
Pre-pandemic, this issue already existed. However, COVID-19 has magnified regional disparities exacerbated by the widening digital literacy. Many people in rural areas practically go the extreme lengths like mountain climbing or borrowing a motorcycle to go downtown to get a Wi-Fi connection. It keeps them disadvantaged, missing out on opportunities from digital learning to telework and capacity building.
Satellite broadband can deliver cutting-edge technology and bridge the digital divide. Kacific, a Singapore-based company, is committed to providing reliable, high-speed, and affordable broadband internet to rural areas. They use a cutting-edge Boeing satellite to transmit data beyond an innovative, extremely high-frequency spectrum known as Ka-band.
Ka-band systems provide higher bandwidth service at lower data transfer charges than older satellite technology utilizing C and Ku band solutions. The tightly concentrated spot beams allow very effective geographic targeting, especially in mountainous regions.
Ka-band satellite dishes are much smaller than Ku or C band devices, making them less expensive and convenient. As technology has progressed over time, operators can now reduce the severity of rain fade (when heavy rain affects the signal); this allows for steady speed and connectivity, including in adverse weather.
Kacific has partnered with leading network operator Bambunet powered by Kloche Communications. With 6 spot beams covering the whole of Philippines without a single dark spot, it can surely help meet the needs of the Filipinos in remote zones, particularly those on the islands.
Bambunet offers a variety of plans that go up to speeds of 40Mbps for residential uses and 120Mbps for enterprises. With such high speeds on Ka-band technology, the plans are still kept affordable from PHP5,370 per month. The plans require a satellite dish and modem as well. The 1.2m satellite dish is easy to transport, simple to install, and best of all, it can be set up at an affordable one-time terminal fee of PHP31,200.
Bambunet powered by Kloche Communications has connected many sites at government facilities, education institutions, and businesses in the area. For example, the satellite internet connection has significantly contributed to school systems in the Burias Islands, where teachers used to find it challenging to use distance learning modules or engage in online learning and teleconferences as there was no high-speed internet connection at school.
Joyce Flores, a public-school teacher, said: “Upon the installation of the satellite dish, our lives have improved so much. We no longer have to go to the ‘Signalan’ to get service, no need to climb the mountain and worry about getting caught in the rain”. As a result of this development in the area, Joyce can now teach her students in her own classroom.
No network coverage and require fast, low-cost internet access? Call +63 998 555 3243 to reach Bambunet powered by Kloche Communications, or go to http://www.bambunet.com/
