In its 2024 report, 'Better Internet for All Filipinos: Reforms Promoting Competition and Increasing Investment for Broadband Infrastructure,' the World Bank said that the Philippines has the slowest and most expensive internet in Southeast Asia.The Department of Information and Communications Technology said that there are only 12,000 independent common towers, compared to Vietnam's 90,000 and Bangladesh's 30,000.
According to Statista, internet access in the Philippines rose from 48 million in 2018 to 69 million in 2023, with Filipinos spending an average of nine hours online daily. This growing demand is driving initiatives to enhance reliable and accessible internet connectivity, which is crucial in advancing the nation's digital economy, said Statista.