Pisonet Explained

A pisonet is a ''mini-type'' internet cafe or computer shop mainly found in the areas of Metro Manila and the Philippines.^[1] Pisonet terminals are commonly used by Filipinos in lower-income groups as well as children as an inexpensive way to browse the internet and play video games.^{[2] [3]}

The rates usually start from and can vary from cafe to cafe,^[4] with access to the computer or wireless access point given to the paying user for a limited time akin to an arcade machine.^{[3] [5]}

Construction

Pisonet machines are typically built from inexpensive desktop computers running Microsoft Windows,^[6] though some pisonet operators have also made arcade machine conversions of video game consoles such as Xbox 360s modified with pirated copies of popular games pre-installed.

A variation of pisonet is the Piso Wifi vending machine, which is a wireless access point modified to allow paying customers to get wirless internet access on their mobile devices for a small fee.^[4]

History

Pisonet was invented during the early 2010s. Internet access has not improved much with 60% of poor neighborhoods in Manila lacking basic internet access. The COVID-19 pandemic in the country affected pisonet operations as lockdown rules significantly affected public gatherings including internet shops, on top of local telecommunications firms now offering subsidized access to popular social media services on mobile phones.^{[7] [8]}

Security and obscenity concerns

Owing to limited knowledge of technology and computer security by pisonet operators–most of them being middle-aged or elderly micro-entrepreneurs who also run sari-sari stores–user security and oversight over the patrons' use of the terminals are often lax, making it trivial for them to browse obscene material such as pornographic websites. As a result, crackdowns and regulations on pisonet terminals have been proposed in various cities and municipalities.^{[9] [10]}

The city of Lapu-Lapu in Cebu also expressed plans to ban the operation of pisonet terminals owing to concerns over their use to browse pornographic material, though the proposed ordinance was opposed by city councilors who argued that the ban would unfairly affect lower-income youths who depend on inexpensive public internet access for school work.^[11]

See also

• Microsoft FlexGo, a pay-as-you-go system for computers in developing countries

Notes and References

1. Web site: 2022-01-21 . 10.0.0.0.1 - 10.0.0.1 Piso Wifi . 2023-01-26 . en-US.
2. Web site: 2022-11-04 . 'Sachet' internet, ultra-low promos a hit among Filipinos as inflation bites . 2023-02-06 . RAPPLER . en-US.
3. Book: Richardson . Ingrid . Understanding Games and Game Cultures . Hjorth . Larissa . Davies . Hugh . 2021-03-24 . SAGE . 978-1-5297-3852-0 . 1923–1924 . en.
4. Web site: Inc . AB Digital . PISO WiFi allows customers to use the internet by paying in real-time . 2023-01-24 . Benzinga . English.
5. News: Ocampo. Yas D. Piso-net operators needs info on Internet cafe law Mindanao Times. 12 December 2016. mindanaotimes.net. 11 March 2016.
6. Web site: 2017-08-22 . How to Start a Pisonet or an Internet Cafe Business in the Philippines . 2024-09-25 . tycoon.ph . en-US.
7. Web site: 2022-01-17. These vending machines sell internet access five minutes at a time. 2022-01-19. Rest of World. en-US.
8. Book: Yamamoto, Nobuto . The COVID-19 Pandemic and Risks in East Asia: Media, Social Reactions, and Theories . 2022-11-29 . Taylor & Francis . 978-1-000-78913-3 . 211–212 . en.
9. Web site: Llemit . Ralph Lawrence G. . 2019-09-25 . No more gaming for minors on weekdays . 2024-09-25 . SunStar . en.
10. Book: Tellería, Ana Serrano . Between the Public and Private in Mobile Communication . 2017-06-14 . Taylor & Francis . 978-1-315-39929-4 . en.
11. News: Inso . Futch Anthony . 2018-06-08 . Total ban on 'pisonet' operations not legally possible – councilors . 2024-09-25 . Cebu Daily News . en.