Speedcast International Limited has signed an agreement with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in support of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) of the Philippine government in order to bring internet connectivity and public Wi-Fi services to 3,000 remote areas across 11 regions in the Philippines. With an initial 23-month commitment, the initial contract term has a value of US$14.4 million, renewable for an additional two more years of service. Speedcast is delighted to be collaborating with UNDP and the DICT on the first phase of a wider project to deploy internet service in remote areas across the Philippines. The project will deliver access to information and education through connectivity services to many regions for the first time, and has the potential to spur economic growth and significantly help the Philippine government in its efforts to close the digital divide. Speedcast will install and manage connectivity to all sites, and will provide 24x7 technical support and field services. More than 60% of sites will be powered by solar energy, with all sites supported by battery backup to maintain service when standard power sources aren't available.