Introduction
The year 2006 was a reckoning year for EVISNet in regard to its future services. In 1998 when EV-RDCNet was established (the forerunner of EVISNet), the IT environment in Eastern Visayas was at its infant stage. There were few individuals, agencies and establishments who were connected to the internet. Internet connection was rare and expensive. At that time information in the world wide web were also limited as website development was not so known yet in this part of the world except for a handful of individuals. However, connecting several PCs in one office or establishing an intranet was already done in some offices during those days.
This environment prompted the Regional Development Council (RDC) to go forward and be ahead in making use of IT for regional development. First, the RDC through RDC Ex-com Resolution No. 7 (s. 1998) approved the establishment of the Eastern Visayas Regional Development Council Information Network (EV-RDCNet). The RDC then desired to establish an information network by setting-up a secondary internet service provider. The network would link the RDC member agencies in the region, the region with other regions and link RDC with millions of internet users around the world. The project was initially funded by the Department of Science and Technology in the amount of P1 million pesos.
Second, the 1999-2004 Regional Development Plan included as one of its major thrust, for Eastern Visayas to be a model of Information Technology. Many activities on IT were implemented towards the attainment of this goal. Interconnectivity was one of the needs at that time. To realize this vision, the RDC through RDC Resolution No. 61 (s. 2000) promoted internet connectivity among RDC members with the objective of promoting information sharing among government offices and RDC members in the region through the internet.
Through the years EVISNet then became known as an Internet Service provider (ISP) due to its major service of providing internet access to the RDC members. At one point in EVISNet’s operation in the early part of 2005, EVISNet provided internet access to 21 government agencies, 26 government employees, 4 State Colleges and Universities and the public through its dial-up internet access (Kidlat). EVISNet’s operation was doing well and was self sustaining for a few years until it met many challenges due to the fast changing technologies that seem to left EVISNet behind in the race of getting what is new in the market laden with new technologies.
The many challenges, including internal issues and those from the external invironment, that EVISNet encountered in the course of being an Internet Service Provider has encouraged management to proposed or introduced changes especially on enhancing its services. Proposals such as the Upgrading of EVISNet’s Dial-up Services and installation of wireless broadband were among it’s target.
However, the challenges spelled out in the CY 2005 report alarmed the managers’ of EVISNet. Decreasing subscribers due to technological advancements which EVISNet could not cope affected its revenue. This continued for about two years until EVISNet felt it is time for RDC to decide on whether to continue with its services or not due to the financial and technical problems that it is encountering.
On September 21, 2006 the RDC approved the proposed Eastern Visayas Online and provided funds for its implementation and maintenance and operating expenses through RDC Resolution No. 43, (s. 2006). This resolution paved the way for the change of EVISNet’s major service from that of providing internet connectivity to that of providing content. Finally on December 4, 2006, RDC Resolution No. 55 (s. 2006) approved the phase-out of EVISNet’s internet connectivity by January 2008 and shift its operations from providing internet connectivity to providing content. Also, in this resolution RDC allotted funds to settle EVISNet’s financial obligations.
System Administration
- As of December 2006, EVISNet operated the network with a 1.5 Mbps bandwith provided by Innove Communications.
- The present system has analog dial-up lines for its pre-paid and post paid subscribers. During the year, continuing disconnection of dial-up lines were implemented by batch leaving the Network with 21 dial-up lines 6 lines provided by Bayantel, and 16 lines for Globe.
- Its operation is supported by four (6) servers with Linux and Free BSD as its operating systems, 3 cyclades/serial expanders and 45 56kbps analog modems
- During the year, it continue to provide internet connection to 12 government agencies, 2 non-government organizations, 7 government employees and 4 State Universities and Colleges.
- To make use of excess bandwidth especially at night when SUCs and agencies are not using their connection, prepaid internet access cards (KIDLAT) were sold.
- EVISNet continue to provide the following services:
- Content Development – maintenance of EVISNet Website as the regional portal
- Networking – assistance to SUCs and other government agencies
- Web Hosting - NEDA website, RDC website, Child Info (UNICEF Project), Gender and Development, and Local Poverty Alleviation Project Advocacy, line agencies website, LGU websites and business establishments' websites.
7. On February 2006, Gregorio Commendador, joined the EVISNet staff as trainee. He became the Systems Administrator on April, 2006 when the former Systems Aministrator, John Homer Alvero left EVISNet at end of March 2006.
EVISNet Website
EVISNet continue to provide consistent and reliable data and served as the medium of data exchange in the region, EVISNet maintains a website containing information on the socio-economic situation of Eastern Visayas and other relevant data of the region. This site also promoted Eastern Visayas to the rest of the world and helped researchers, investors, decision-makers, among others .
The website (www.evis.net.ph) is also a portal with links and access to websites that are useful to anyone trying to find information in the world wide web. The website can also host the websites of government agencies operating in Region VIII particularly in the light of the E-Commerce Law that mandates all agencies to go on line.
In 2006, the EVISNet website continue to provide the following information and links:
- International, national and local news
- Sports and weather updates
- Foreign exchange
- Security alert for viruses
- Information on new hardware, software and sharewares
- Links to e-government websites, e-learning, e-travel, magazines, music, law e-libraries, jobs, games, shops, search engines, e-banks and e-cards, SUCs websites
- NEDA Director's corner – views on the economy
- A bulletin board for invitation to bid, EVISNet information on its services and technical assistance
Marketing
A. Services
EVISNet continue to provide two kinds of services, (a) information sharing through the EVISNet Website and (b) access to the Internet. As an internet service provider EVISNet has three types of services, these are:
a) Internet access through leased line/frame relay
b) Internet access through postpaid subscription plan, and
c) Internet access through prepaid internet cards
Available at:
P100.00 for 14 hours
P50.00 for 6 hours
In order to subsidize the huge amount needed to maintain the internet access services for EVISNet and to maximize the excess bandwidth especially at night when SUCs and government agencies are not using their connection, EVISNet offered prepaid services through the Kidlat Cards since December 2003 up to now.
B. Existing Subscribers and Users
For its internet access leased line/frame relay the clients of EVISNet are the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs) such as the Leyte State University (LSU), Leyte Normal University (LNU), Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) and Eastern Samar State University (ESSU).
The subscribers of postpaid subscription plan are the government agencies (12), government and private employees (7) and non-government organizations (2). On the other hand, for its prepaid cards (Kidlat), these are sold through dealers and internet cafes.
Administrative
- During the year, EVISNet hired only two contractual personnels, 1 Systems Administrator (up to March only), and 1 Content Development Specialist (May to December). Two student assistants were also hired to man the NOC in the evening. The EVISNet contractual staff who was absorb by NEDA (Ma. Teresa Labrador) in 2005 continue to serve EVISNet. During the year three (3) NEDA staff provided staff support to EVISNet.
- Towards the end of the year several accounts payable were charged to the RDC Operating funds. This totaled to about P233,000.00.
- NOC conducted meetings on a need basis. Among the priority agenda items were as follows: a) update on SUC connection; b) update on dial-up lines; c) update on prepaid internet card (Kidlat) and subscribers; d) usage monitoring; e) status of billing and collection; f) update of receivables and collectibles.
- Every month EVISNet staff conducted field visits to SUCs and KIDLAT dealers in different cities and towns in the province of Leyte. During these visits, KIDLAT cards are being delivered and its sale collected.
- EVISNet purchased KIDLAT cards in the months of April and December, 2006.
- Work and Financial Plan for EV Online, Schedule of Activities and Things to do and staff in-charge were prepared in the months of November and December, 2006.
- EV Online started its implementation in December 2006 with the hiring of the Website Designer, creation of EV Online portal, preparation of sample templates for the RDC members' website.
Finance
- Bills of Bayantel, Globe, Leyeco II and other creditors were paid.
- The Regional Development Council (RDC) provided funds in the amount of P233,000.00 to pay some of the networks's telephone and electricity bills.
Issues and Problems
- Decreasing postpaid and prepaid subscribers due to presence of fast and cheap internet access technologies such as Globe’s broadband and Bayantel’s DSL
- Intermittent and slow internet services to State Universities and Colleges (SUCs)
- Insufficient funds to operate the Network Operation Center (NOC)
- Lack of highly trained technical personnel.
Recommendations/Solutions
- Send the Systems Administrator to trainings
- Change of service from that of internet connectivity to providing content.
Future Plans
Among others, EVISNet also plans to undertake the following activities:
