Taking Research to Policy in the Philippines: Lessons Learnt, Challenges Faced Mary Grace Mirandilla-Santos & Shazna Zuhyle CPRsouth 2015 Taipei, Taiwan 27 th August 2015 This work was carried out with the aid of a grant from the International Development Research Centre, Canada and the Department for International Development UK.

Research  Policy Influencing decision makers – Identify the right opportunity and niche – Make evidence-based recommendations Spreading the word – Use various types of media to reach out to a larger audience – Prepare policy briefs that can be customized to specific audiences Networking, networking, networking – Face-to-face interactions work the best – Connect with experts to enrich your knowledge of the subject 2

Why measurements matter? In highly competitive markets (e.g. Hong Kong) market forces ensure consumers get good QoS and value for money  hands-off approach recommended However, with low competition levels and consolidation of the market powers (i.e. service providers) consumers have been forced to pay high prices for low QoS Broadband QoS diagnostics over 4 years reveal PH customers pay high prices and get low QoS 3

PH ISPs’ performance tested via an international server

kbps per PH Peso

Value for Money (kbps per USD) in 2014 Philippine vs. select SA & SEA ISPs THE HIGHER, THE BETTER! IDEALLY, ONE GETS MORE KBPS PER USD

PH Internet Quality of Service (Connection Speed)

PH Internet Cost Wholesale: Business-grade bandwidth (1 Gbps) Manila$25 to $45 per Mbps Cebu$70 Australia/NZ$6 Hong Kong$5 USA35 cents to $2 Source: R. Jones, 2014 Philippines$20.35 per Mbps Indonesia$16.83 Malaysia$10.29 Singapore$2.56 Thailand$2.29 Viet Nam$2.25 Source: Ookla, Dec 2014 Retail: 2 nd most expensive out of 62 countries

NRAs are best positioned for broadband monitoring and regulation The NRA has a mandate to ensure anti-competitive practices are eradicated; to look in to the consumers’ best interest 10

But the NRA in the Philippines was slow to react… Public uproar against fair usage policy and data capping July 2011 – NTC issued MC triggered – MC merely required min. guaranteed speed 80% of the time. – Telcos set Kbps minimum guaranteed speed across the board May 2014 – Sen. Bam Aquino initiated consultations followed by a public hearing on slow + costly #PHInternet – NTC promised to issue an updated MC on broadband service in April Nov NTC public hearing on MC began – NTC held 4 public hearings and 7 TWG meetings until June 2015 April 2015 – target date of issuance not met 11

Collaborating in Evidence-based Advocacy Local civil society groups banded together to support a common cause: Better #PHInternet – Democracy.net.ph; Internet Society – PH Chapter – PH Web Designers Organization; Game Developers Assoc. of the Phils.; PH Game Development Community; PH Flash Actionscripters; PH Internet Freedom Alliance LIRNEasia’s niche contribution was Broadband QoSE study – Submitted briefing materials and attended all (except 1) NTC and Senate hearings and meetings – Constantly provided advice to Senate, DOJ, and key stakeholders – Presented in various fora, attended meetings, gave briefing to anyone interested in the advocacy (journalists, chambers of commerce, small players, CSOs, retired industry experts, etc.) 12

Taking research to policy: Do’s and Dont’s DO’s Influence the decision makers by identifying the right opportunity and niche for one’s contribution Spread the word on various media, both traditional and new Networking, networking, networking! Reach out to people who can contribute to enriching your knowledge and clout DONT’s Be ill-prepared with data, and give vague recommendations Not engage with people in any form of media Substitute face-to-face meeting with online engagement 13

14 Number of shares on social media can indicate people’s interest in the issue.

August 13, 2015 – NTC issued MC on rules on the measurement of fixed broadband/internet access service August 18 – Senate conducts 5 th #PHInternet public hearing – LIRNEasia presents BB QoSE results for 2011, 2013 and 2014 – High-profile event to show evidence; Media took interest August 18 to 22 – LIRNEasia received praises and requests for presentation, interviewed by CNN Philippines, asked to write for BusinessMirror Next step: Sustain interest, expand network further, have more opportunities to engage and promote advocacy 15 Research  Policy  Outcome

Thank You. More information: Grace: Shazna: 16