As published in the Inclusive Internet Index 2018, The Economist Intelligence Unit showed information on “how inclusive is the Internet in the Philippines?” The Inclusive Internet Index provides a benchmark of internet’s reach in an economy’s population based on four categories: a) availability; b) affordability; c) relevance; and d) readiness. The availability category examines the quality and breadth of available infrastructure required for access and levels of internet usage while the affordability category examines the cost of access relative to income and the level of competition in the Internet marketplace. Relevance looks at the existence and extent of local language content and relevant content while readiness examines the capacity to access the Internet, including skills, cultural acceptance, and supporting policy.

Based on the survey conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit, overall, the Philippines placed 54th out of 86 economies in the Inclusive Internet Index ranking, 16th out of 23 economies in the lower half of standings in Asia and 9th out of 23 lower middle-income economies. The Philippines scored low in affordability due to its low placement (81st out of 86) in the sub-category of “competitive environment”, which is based on the average revenue per internet user and market shares of wireless and broadband operators in the country. On the other hand, the report noted the country’s relatively high score in readiness (43rd) due largely to the country’s high ranking in the “trust and safety” sub-category (16th) that measures a country’s internet safety and “cultural acceptance” of the internet. For more details please refer to the infographic.