The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is set to spend over P3 billion to procure more than one million SIM cards for public school students under the Bayanihan SIM Project.
The project aims to provide free SIM cards with 25 GB monthly data for 12 months to students from 360 public schools, especially in isolated and disadvantaged areas.
Winning bidders, limited to licensed telecommunications companies with 4G and 5G capabilities, must activate services within 45 to 240 days, depending on their infrastructure needs, and ensure advanced connectivity using fiber, microwave, and satellite solutions.
The provider will also assist with SIM distribution and on-site registration alongside the DICT.
Funding will come from the Free Public Internet Access Program’s P7.5-billion budget, with bidding set to open on October 6 following a pre-bid conference on September 22.
Source: PhilNews24 | September 20, 2025
