Slow internet access, trigger concerns among BulSUans

Danica Macayan

October 21, 2023

A student phone trying to browse the internet on October 20, 2023 at Bulacan State University College of Law, Malolos City.

Photo credits: Danica Macayan

As Bulacan State University (BulSU) continues to ascend in top performing universities in Region III, a basic modern necessity was left behind pulling BulSUans out to disclose slowed internet browsing throughout the university premise.

Bedylyn Pacete, a third-year Journalism student from College of Arts and Letters, had experienced halting her academic and publication duties due to insufficient better internet connectivity around the campus.

“It’s a problem for me as well, na ang daming na-ha-halt na mga dapat kailangan kong gawin pero dahil mabagal ‘yong internet connection sa BSU, hindi ko siya pwedeng gawin dito.”

Bulacan State University offered various free wifi services everywhere in the university however these free wifi services were far from free as it required too many authorization, lack of internet connectivity and a 30 minute only access to both students and faculty.

“Nagugulat nga ako eh na ang dami pa lang free Wi-Fi connections dito, which is hindi ko siya nagagamit personally, saka ‘yong sinasabi nila na 30 minutes na Wi-Fi, hindi ko rin siya nagagamit kasi aside from sobrang technical niya [gawin] for me, na hindi gaano ka-techy na tao, ang technical niya para mag-connect, sobrang hassle rin,” Pacete added.

This dilemma boiled down to other students as well triggering concerns about insufficient quality of internet browsing which hindered their internet needs when they were inside the university premise.

“Masasabi ko na unstable ‘yong internet connection, mapa-WiFi man o data kasi halimbawa, may mga mahalaga akong documents na kailangan i-download, hindi sya, alam mo ‘yon, mabagal siyang mag-loading kasi nga ang hina ng internet dito sa campus,” John Bertrand Faigao, a third-year student, said.

A student phone trying to connect on BulSU Free Wi-Fi on October 20, 2023 at Bulacan State University E-Library Malolos City.

Photo credits: Danica Macayan

Despite having various free Wi-Fi services, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), also offered free Wi-Fi assistance in the BulSU community. However, issues still arose in the said free Wi-Fi.

Sophia Arellano, a third-year Journalism student said that DICT free Wi-Fi service also has its own complications.

“May DICT WIFI tayo, nagagamit ko siya kapag hindi gaanong matao ‘yong building natin tapos ayun stable siya saka unli siya kaya lang nga kapag marami nang tao, kusa nang nag-e-expire ‘yong authorization ko,” Arellano said.

The struggle continues

According to Bulacan State University’s 2019 expenditure, the university annually allotted 5 million for internet subscription expenses however after the pandemic struck, the demand for internet became highly evident due to hybrid classes and incorporation of internet tools despite the implementation of full blast face-to-face classes in BulSU.

Those led to the university providing free WiFi access to students and faculty but on a limited time of 30 minutes only. It’s a hassle for Arelllano as she experienced a different path regarding this matter.

“‘Yong sa univ wide,ano siya yung sa 30 minutes, na-a-avail ko siya pero napuputol na siya even hindi pa natatapos yong 30 minutes,” she said.

Challenge for BulSU administration

A student laptop trying to connect and log in on BulSU Free Wi-Fi on October 20, 2023 at Bulacan State University E-Library Malolos City.

Photo credits: Danica Macayan

The students find it difficult to access the internet inside the university premises which requires their time and effort. Pacete pointed out that it is important to add additional free Wi-Fi services and the university should maintain the capacity of the internet provider in order for the students to redeem the free Wi-Fi services.

“At least kahit sana dagdagan nila ‘yong mga gano’n [Wi-Fi] para naman ma-cocontrol pa rin o ma-memaintain pa rin ‘yong connection kasi kahit may wifi kung walang internet o walang connection, wala siyang sense, so useless din,” Pacete added.

Pacete worries that despite dealing with her own complications regarding internet accessibility in BulSU, the administration should also emphasize the knowledge in bringing up the internet accessibility for faculty and students’ awareness.