DICT cuts permit process for common towers

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The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is targeting to reduce by 50 percent the redundant permitting requirements in building a common tower to help speed up the network buildout that would improve the coverage and quality of telecom services in the country.

This is in compliance with recently issued Department Circular No. 8 or the Shared Passive Telecommunications Tower Infrastructures (PTTIs) policy which mandates barangays, local government units , national government agencies, and homeowners associations to follow the mandated maximum time period for the issuance of necessary permits, clearances, and certifications as provided under Section 15 of Republic Act 9485, otherwise known as the Ease of Doing Business Act of 2018.

Telecom firms said it takes an average of 8 months to build a single cell site tower as the company needs to secure an average of 25 permits, adding up the time to acquire the right of way.

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DICT targets to increase the number of towers in the country from 18,000 to 50,000 in the next five to 10 years.

DICT said it is actively collaborating with the Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) and other government agencies in ensuring streamlined permitting requirements and procedures for independent tower companies (ITCs). A memorandum circular will be signed soon.

“With streamlined procedures, we expect to speed up the roll-out of common towers which will help us achieve our overall objective of enhancing wireless network coverage and the quality of ICT (information and communication technology services across the entire country,” said DICT Secretary Gregorio Honasan II.

Department Circular 008 gives a qualified applicant a license to operate as an ITC for five years renewable for the same period.

Twenty-four ITCs composed of local and foreign firms have pending application under the previous common tower issuance.

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