Internet connectivity now a basic utility, group says

MANILA, Philippines —  Internet services in the Philippines have become more affordable in recent years, driven by increased competition, sustained infrastructure investments, and the spread of flexible prepaid data offers, but consumer advocates say sustaining these gains will require a policy shift recognizing connectivity as an essential utility.

In a statement, CitizenWatch Philippines co-convenor Kit Belmonte said the steady decline in data costs, alongside the rise of internet promos, has expanded access across income segments.

“Consumers today are paying less for more data, with greater flexibility in how they spend on connectivity,” Belmonte said. “Low-denomination, short-duration packages have made internet access far more accessible, especially for prepaid users who make up the majority of the market.”

Data from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), including updates under the National Broadband Plan, and global benchmarks from the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), show steady improvements in both broadband speeds and affordability over the past decade. The cost of one GB mobile data in the Philippines has fallen from over two percent of gross national income per capita in the mid-2010s to below one percent in recent years, meeting the United Nations’ affordability target.

At the same time, average fixed broadband speeds have risen sharply – from single-digit Mbps levels in 2016 to over 90 Mbps by 2025 – while entry-level fiber plans have remained within the P1,299 to P1,699 range, translating to a significant drop in cost per Mbps.

Belmonte said these trends reflect a structural shift in how Filipinos participate in the economy and society.

“Connectivity is no longer peripheral. It is embedded in the most basic functions of daily life,” he said. “Education, employment, small business operations, financial transactions, and access to public services now depend on stable internet access. Without it, participation is limited.”

“Connectivity is not only a cost driver. It is also a cost stabilizer,” Belmonte said. “If more economic activity can happen online, we ease pressure on transport systems and help families manage rising expenses.”

Against this backdrop, CitizenWatch PH renewed its call to formally recognize internet access as the country’s “fifth utility,” alongside electricity, water, gas and transport.

Belmonte said this aligns with the policy direction under the amended Public Service Act, which classifies telecommunications as critical infrastructure.

“If connectivity underpins economic activity and social participation, then it must be treated with the same level of priority as other essential services,” he said. “That means policies that guarantee low barrier access to the internet, service reliability and support continuous investment both from the private and public sectors.”