The long-awaited “Baguio Broadband Network” is set to begin serving the local government’s smart city program in May, according to the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT). Towers have been installed on Mt. Pulag and in various towns in Benguet province to utilize microwaves for digital data transmission. The government’s National Fiber Backbone (NFB) was recently activated by President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., connecting Quezon City to the Ilocos provinces. This network aims to provide internet connectivity across the country. Despite challenges posed by the mountainous terrain, a network of microwave towers has been designed to transmit data to Benguet and Mountain Province. The NFB is seen as crucial for sustaining public Wi-Fi services and enabling advancements like the Baguio smart city program and the BSP’s digital payment campaign. Baguio Mayor Benjamin Magalong has expressed optimism about the city’s progress towards becoming a smart city by 2027.
