The Internet has pretty much invaded the lives of everyone despite it being more linked to the youth. Websites are sprouting everywhere as well as new social networks that claims to be the next "Big Thingquot;. However, the internet has not yet reached its full potential because of one limiting factor, Internet Service Providers. The developments in the Internet could not be fully enjoyed by everyone in the Philippines but the improvements keep on coming that will enable us to truly enjoy a digital world.
Currently, there are three major service providers in the country. All three makes use of the same basic technologies that not only enable us to connect to the internet via our computers and laptops but through our mobile phones as well. Aside from the usual Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) lines provided by these three top suppliers of internet connections, there has been a growing trend of using mobile broadband technology. EDGE has been around for quite some time now but has been receiving various complaints since these can be accessed via a 2G signal which means that if the signal in an area drops, the connection drops as well. HSDPA / UMTS has replaced this technology since it is powered by a more advanced 3G technology. Lastly are wireless technology such as Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) are more commonly used in partnership with a DSL line to provide more users with a chance to experience the internet. These Wi-Fi spots are currently being utilized prominently by coffee shops as well as restaurants and mall as a way to attract consumers. Recently, trends show that the telecommunications companies are leading towards improving another wireless technology called Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wi-Max) that is designed for a better high-speed networking. Wi-Max is powered by 4G technology that results to faster internet speeds whether it is downloading or uploading. Yet, there is still a drawback in this 4G / Wi-Max technology in which users of this technology are given a maximum amount of bandwidth.
The improvement of these technologies coupled with the effects of high demand for internet connection results to price wars among the internet service providers. Rates for home internet use as well as mobile internet have become more inexpensive than ever. In addition, even prices of Wi-Fi ready smart phones have become very affordable thus giving almost everyone access to the internet. The only thing as of now is that with the very large amount of internet demand, the network infrastructure of the telecom companies has been insufficient to support this large need thus causing tantamount slowdowns during peak hours when a lot of people are online. This issue is something that plagues all internet service providers leading to poor customer satisfaction. The question now is how can the ever growing demand for the internet be accommodated when hardware and network infrastructure does not provide a satisfactory performance even if the internet penetration is just at a measly 30%? In the end, it won't just be a battle of prices but a battle of technology as well.
The Internet has pretty much invaded the lives of everyone despite it being more linked to the youth. Websites are sprouting everywhere as well as new social networks that claims to be the next "Big Thingquot;. However, the internet has not yet reached its full potential because of one limiting factor, Internet Service Providers. The developments in the Internet could not be fully enjoyed by everyone in the Philippines but the improvements keep on coming that will enable us to truly enjoy a digital world.
Currently, there are three major service providers in the country. All three makes use of the same basic technologies that not only enable us to connect to the internet via our computers and laptops but through our mobile phones as well. Aside from the usual Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) lines provided by these three top suppliers of internet connections, there has been a growing trend of using mobile broadband technology. EDGE has been around for quite some time now but has been receiving various complaints since these can be accessed via a 2G signal which means that if the signal in an area drops, the connection drops as well. HSDPA / UMTS has replaced this technology since it is powered by a more advanced 3G technology. Lastly are wireless technology such as Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) are more commonly used in partnership with a DSL line to provide more users with a chance to experience the internet. These Wi-Fi spots are currently being utilized prominently by coffee shops as well as restaurants and mall as a way to attract consumers. Recently, trends show that the telecommunications companies are leading towards improving another wireless technology called Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (Wi-Max) that is designed for a better high-speed networking. Wi-Max is powered by 4G technology that results to faster internet speeds whether it is downloading or uploading. Yet, there is still a drawback in this 4G / Wi-Max technology in which users of this technology are given a maximum amount of bandwidth.
The improvement of these technologies coupled with the effects of high demand for internet connection results to price wars among the internet service providers. Rates for home internet use as well as mobile internet have become more inexpensive than ever. In addition, even prices of Wi-Fi ready smart phones have become very affordable thus giving almost everyone access to the internet. The only thing as of now is that with the very large amount of internet demand, the network infrastructure of the telecom companies has been insufficient to support this large need thus causing tantamount slowdowns during peak hours when a lot of people are online. This issue is something that plagues all internet service providers leading to poor customer satisfaction. The question now is how can the ever growing demand for the internet be accommodated when hardware and network infrastructure does not provide a satisfactory performance even if the internet penetration is just at a measly 30%? In the end, it won't just be a battle of prices but a battle of technology as well.