taking research to policy in the philippines: lessons learnt, challenges faced mary grace...
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Taking Research to Policy in the Philippines: Lessons Learnt, Challenges Faced
Mary Grace Mirandilla-Santos & Shazna Zuhyle
CPRsouth 2015Taipei, Taiwan
27th 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.
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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
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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
Highest Average (per test)
Lowest Average (per test)
ISP A (average overall)
ISP B (average overall)
ISP C (average overall)
0.00
10.00
20.00
30.00
40.00
50.00
60.00
70.00
80.00
90.00
100.00Actual vs. Advertised Speed (%)
2011 2013 2014
THE HIGHER, THE BETTER!IDEALLY, PROMISED SPEEDIS REACHED 80% OF THE TIME.
PH ISPs’ performance tested via an international server
kbps
per
PH
Pes
o
Highest Average (per test)
Lowest Average (per test)
ISP A (average overall)
ISP B (average overall)
ISP C (average overall)
0
0.2
0.4
0.6
0.8
1
1.2
1.4Value for Money (Kbps/PHP)
2011 2013 2014
THE HIGHER, THE BETTER!IDEALLY, ONE GETS MORE KBPS PER USD
Value for Money (kbps per USD) in 2014Philippine vs. select SA & SEA ISPs
0800 H 1100 H 1500 H 1800 H 2000 H 2300 H0
50
100
150
200
250
300Airtel 3G (4Mbps)-Bangalore,IN
Tata (3.1Mbps)-Chennai,LK
Airtel (4Mbps)-Delhi,IN
Airtel LTE (4Mbps)-Bangalore,IN
Ooredoo Data 99 (7Mbps)-Male,MV
Dhiraagu Data 200 (1Mbps)-Male,MV
Ncell (7.2Mbps)-Kathmandu,NP
PTCL Evo (9.3Mbps)-Karachi,PK
Etisalat (7.2Mbps)-Colombo,LK
Telkomsel Flash Ultima(3.6Mbps)-Jakarta,ID
SMART Bro Starter Plug-it (7.2 Mbps)-Manila,PH*
Globe Tattoo 4G Flash(7.2 Mbps)-Manila,PH*
Sun Broadband Plan 799 (3.6Mbps)-Manila,PH
kbps
per
USD
THE HIGHER, THE BETTER!IDEALLY, ONE GETS MORE
KBPS PER USD
PH Internet Quality of Service (Connection Speed)
Thailand Malaysia China Viet Nam Philippines India Indonesia0
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
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Asia Pacific - Average Mbps (Akamai, 2011-2015)
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
PH Internet Quality of Service (Connection Speed)
Indonesia
India
Philippines
Viet Nam
China
Malaysia
Thailand
Singapore
Japan
Hong Kong
South Korea
0 5 10 15 20 25
2.2
2.3
2.8
3.2
3.7
4.3
7.4
12.9
15.2
16.7
23.6
Asia Pacific Average Mbps (Akamai, Q1 2015)
PH Internet Cost
Wholesale: Business-grade bandwidth (1 Gbps)Manila $25 to $45 per MbpsCebu $70Australia/NZ $6Hong Kong $5USA 35 cents to $2
Sou
rce:
R. J
ones
, 201
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Philippines $20.35 per MbpsIndonesia $16.83Malaysia $10.29Singapore $2.56Thailand $2.29Viet Nam $2.25 S
ourc
e: O
okla
, Dec
201
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Retail: 2nd most expensive out of 62 countries
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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
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But the NRA in the Philippines was slow to react…
• 2010 - Public uproar against fair usage policy and data capping
• July 2011 – NTC issued MC 07-07-2011 triggered– MC merely required min. guaranteed speed 80% of the time.– Telcos set 12-48 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 2014 - 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
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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.)
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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
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Number of shares on social media can indicate people’s interest in the issue.
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• August 13, 2015 – NTC issued MC 07-08-2015 on rules on the measurement of fixed broadband/internet access service
• August 18 – Senate conducts 5th #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
Research Policy Outcome
