Category: philippines internet

Is the Philippines facing another internet bubble?

Abe Olandres

This month, two of the long-time online services have closed down in the country along with other similar offices in the region. One is the daily deals site turned online retail store, Ensogo, while the other is a jobs site, JobsDB. Of the two, JobsDB Philippines has been in operation the longest – about 17 years since they opened in the country. It’s also one of only two major players in its category so we can’t help but be puzzled by this development.

JobsDB’s official Facebook Page has since posted an announcement for people to hop on erstwhile rival, JobStreet, even calling it “the No. 1 Job Site in the Philippines”. Perhaps the market has shrunk and could no longer accommodate two big job search portals.

Ensogo’s demise is much less surprising, considering that the excitement for daily deals and group buying has died down for quite some time now. Besides, there were many other similar sites that closed down years ago. It was only a matter of time before the numbers are narrowed down even further. The last big one was Groupon/Beeconomic back in September 2015. This leaves old-timers like CashCashPinoy and MetroDeal in the space, although the owner of the latter has also made a smart exit by selling to Japanese investor, Transcosmos.

In the classifieds market, car classified ads site Tsikot have also been recently sold to Now Web Solutions. Though the amount is undisclosed, we don’t think it’s anywhere near the Php100 million offer MIH made to them back in 2011.

The biggest player in the classifieds ad space was Sulit. Founded in 2006 by freelance developer, RJ David, the two-man start-up was snapped up by MIH in 2009. Singapore Press Holding came in with AyosDito to challenge Sulit’s monopoly in the Philippines. Sulit was eventually merged with OLX in 2014 which is also owned by Naspers (parent company of MIH). Later that year, AyosDito would close down and direct all traffic to OLX.

Recent players like Lazada and Zalora, both owned by German-based Rocket Internet, are taking much of the attention and market share in the local e-commerce space. Lazada could be considered the biggest online store in the country, with over 10,000 transactions a month , since they opened up shop 4 years ago. However, both online stores aren’t profitable with a combined loss of about $235 million, according to its 2014 filing from all their combined market.

There are also newer entrants like social news site Rappler and regional news network Coconuts Media (Coconuts Manila in the Philippines) as well as well-funded start-ups like job-matching engine Kalibbr, price comparison site PricePrice.com, PayrollHero, ZipMatch and PawnHero.

These new batch of tech start-ups have yet to be truly tested if they can grow to a significant size, scale, and eventually become really profitable. Some have shown promise while the rest, well, we have yet to see.

References:

The post Is the Philippines facing another internet bubble? appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines News & Tech Reviews.

PCCI President says Internet speed should be at 15-20Mbps within a year

Louie Diangson

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) President George T. Barcelon said that the Philippines should have an Internet speed of 15 to 20Mbps within a year.

PCCI President Barcelon told media during an interview that the country’s Internet speed should be at 15 to 20Mbps, from the current 3 to 4Mbps, within a year.

He also added that Internet access should be widened to include farmers, SMEs, and the tourism sector. Telecommunications companies should also reduce Internet costs to Php300 to Php400 a month for individuals and Php300 to Php500 for families in 3 years.

Improvement of Internet and telecommunications services is one of the top 10 actionable recommendations Barcelon presented to President-Elect Duterte. This includes amending the existing Telecommunication Law (RA 7925) and passing of a law that will regulate the deliver of these services in order to make it competitive with the best in the region.

source: Michelle Orosa-Ople

The post PCCI President says Internet speed should be at 15-20Mbps within a year appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines News & Tech Reviews.

NTC not equipped to monitor telcos’ Internet speed

Louie Diangson Leave a comment

With the probe on slow Internet speed in the country currently taking place, a National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) official admitted that the agency is not properly equipped to monitor the Internet speed provided by local telcos.

pldt-wifi-zone

According to Inquirer’s report, NTC Director Edgardo Cabarios said that they do not have the equipment that will help them monitor the Internet speed of the telcos. This is also the reason why the commission is yet to set a minimum standard Internet speed in the country. He also noted that an additional Php14 million would be needed for the equipment.

ACT Teachers Rep. Antonio Tinio recommended that the Public Service Act of 1936 be amended as the telcos would only face a penalty of Php200 per day if they fail to meet Internet speed standards.

“Do we wonder why consumers are left practically defenseless? Napakapilay pala ng NTC,” said Tinio.

{Inquirer}

The post NTC not equipped to monitor telcos’ Internet speed appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

Free Metro Manila WiFi Act of 2014 filed at the Senate

Louie Diangson Leave a comment

Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto has filed Senate Bill No. 2232 or the “Free Metro Manila WiFi Act of 2014” which will mandate the government to provide free wireless internet access in key locations in the National Capital Region (NCR).

philippines wifi

“For the Philippines to further establish itself as an emerging economy, a public broadband internet infrastructure must be in place beginning with NCR. Providing free internet access to public buildings and facilities in the national capital will also ensure that our growing labor force will be updated with employment opportunities.” said Sen. Recto said in the bill’s explanatory note.

“Allowing free wireless internet access in key public places in NCR means providing access to the underserved in our society, including getting low-income people online.”

Areas that will be provided with broadband hotpots in NCR shall include, but not limited to the following:

• All national and local government offices;
• Public health centers and hospitals;
• Publick Elementary and High Schools, and State Colleges and Universities;
• Public Parks;
• Ninoy Aquino International Airport (Terminals I, II, II, and IV);
• Public Libraries;
• Tollways and Expressways (North Luzon Expressway, South Luzon Expressway, Metro Mnila Skyway, and Manila-Cavite Expressway);
• Epifanio de los Santos Avenue (EDSA) and other national roads;
• Public transport terminals;
• Port of Manila; and
• Rail Transit Stations (LRT Line 1, MRT Line 2, MRT Line 3, and PNR Southrail).

According to the bill, the WiFi hotspots will use existing commercial ISPs until such time that a national broadband system has been installed. Funds from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and/or savings under the General Appropriations Act will be used for the project.

Recto's 'Free Wifi in Metro Manila' Bill (SB2232) by Jojo Malig

{ABS-CBN News}

The post Free Metro Manila WiFi Act of 2014 filed at the Senate appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.

Sen. Bam Aquino calls for investigation of slow internet in the Philippines

Ronnie Bulaong Leave a comment

Senator Paolo Benigno “Bam” Aguirre Aquino IV expressed his dismay at the current state/cost of internet connection in the country on his official Facebook account and vowed that he will conduct further investigations to know why the Philippines is lagging behind other neighboring countries.

In response to the report published by ASEAN DNA, the 36-year old senator didn’t mince his words regarding the matter and even went as far as demanding NTC (National Telecommunications Commission) to provide a clear explanation as to why the internet connection in the country is more costly, yet comparatively slower, than in other parts of the globe.

“Kailangan ba nating magbayad ng mahal para sa mabagal at kung minsan ay hindi maasahang Internet connection? Dapat magbigay ng malinaw na paliwanag ang NTC ukol dito,”

On his Facebook Note, Senator Bam Aquino stated that an affordable, fast and reliable internet connection is crucial to sustain the economic growth in the country. Therefore, he is urging all those involved to figure out a way to improve the internet connection speed, and fast, considering that the ASEAN Economic Integration 2015 is just around the corner.

{Source}

The post Sen. Bam Aquino calls for investigation of slow internet in the Philippines appeared first on YugaTech | Philippines, Tech News & Reviews.