The hybrid work setup that has become part of the new normal because of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to majority of Filipino workers actively using the internet at home for at least four hours daily, leading them to demand better and more reliable broadband services.
The Broadband Index report of US networking firm Cisco showed that nearly half of respondents depend on the internet to work from home, highlighting the need for high-performance broadband services.
In addition, some 83 percent said that at least three individuals are connected to the internet at the same time in their households. Moreover, more than half of respondents are planning to upgrade their connection in the next 12 months.
“With hybrid working continuing to be a mainstay for the Philippines’ workforce, access to high-performance, secure and reliable internet is critical for employees to work effectively and productively when they are away from the office,” Cisco Philippines managing director Zaza Soriano Nicart said.
As such, 91 percent of the workers raised the need for internet services to “dramatically improve to support this new way of working,” not only in terms of speed, but in reliability and quality as well.
Apart from employees, Cisco said it was also crucial for small and medium sized enterprises to have secure internet services to run their business, especially those who do not have “the same resources and IT infrastructure of larger enterprises.”
To support the hybrid model, Cisco suggested the implementation of appropriate technology for the workforce on the part of the employers. Internet service providers could also collaborate with the government in launching programs to address the underserved or unserved segments across the country.
“Governments can establish broadband policies and programs that encourage competition, drive internet investments and expand its reach,” it added.
Internet speeds and service may have improved over the past few years, but our dependence on it requires improvements to be continuous. Reliability and quality remain issues that many subscribers have to deal with, both at work and home. The internet service providers and government can surely find ways to improve the delivery of this service that has become a critical component of a well-functioning society.*
