The Private Sector Advisory Council (PSAC) seeks the prioritization of other issues affecting telecommunication infrastructure now that the issuance of permits and licenses has been streamlined.
PSAC earlier lauded the passage of an executive order institutionalizing the streamlining of the permitting process for the construction of telecommunications and Internet infrastructure in the Philippines.
The Anti-Red Tape Authority in a statement said PSAC sector member Ernest Cu, president and chief executive officer of Globe Telecoms Inc., highlighted other matters that should be prioritized on telecommunication.
These include amending the National Building Code of the Philippines, easing the permitting process for the electrification of telecommunication towers, setting standards for internet connectivity in public places through a connectivity index rating, among others.
PSAC is a group of private sector representatives which advises the government on ways to improve the business environment.
Cu in a separate statement expressed Globe Group’s hopes “to see more policy reforms that will sustain our progress so that in time, the Philippines will no longer be just catching up.”
”Rather, the Philippines will set the standard,” Cu said.
Globe is seeking for the rationalization of the 26-year-old spectrum user fees (SUF). In its current form, the SUF penalizes greater use of more spectrum-efficient 4G and 5G and other fixed wireless access technologies.
Globe said it also disincentivizes network expansion as fees are charged for every station even for the same frequencies. This hampers the industry’s push for stronger and wider connectivity as demand continues to grow.
As a strong advocate for internet-ready developments, Globe also hopes to see the passage of a law that requires developers to allocate space for telco infrastructure and an amendment of the National Building Code and/or its Implementing Rules and Regulations to require the mandatory provision of telecommunications infrastructure in developments.
At 46 years old, the country’s building code is already antiquated and was crafted at a time when connectivity was not yet considered a basic human need.
To strengthen enforcement against financial fraud, Globe is also calling for the passage of legislation that would penalize the use of e-wallets as conduits for money laundering and other financial scams, as digital financial transactions continue to grow.
Globe is asking the government as well to pass amendments to the Intellectual Property Code, a 26-year-old policy that needs to catch up with the times to allow stronger measures such as site blocking to combat content piracy.
After the proposed measure hurdled the House of Representatives earlier this year, Globe hopes for its continued progress in the legislative hierarchy towards enactment.
The company said it also looks forward to greater collaboration with law enforcement agencies and relevant government entities to boost enforcement against cable theft, which causes connectivity disruptions to the detriment of customers.
Meanwhile, the Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) on Friday signed a memorandum of understanding with Converge ICT Solution, Dito Telecommunity Corp., Globe Telecom Inc, and PLDT Inc., to strengthen collaboration with the private sector for the creation of the Connectivity Index Rating (CIR) that would monitor the quality of internet in the indoor spaces to address the internet gap across the country.
The initiative is backed by the PSAC- Digital Infrastructure Group, whose focus is to accelerate the digital transformation of the country.
Ivan Uy, DICT secretary said CIR will push all the establishments to improve their internet connectivity as it will allow them to monitor if they need to upgrade to improve the quality of internet in their areas. While, the public will know the internet speed in particular establishments, like hotels, airports, and offices among others.
“A lot of people complain about poor connectivity but they do not specify (where)… with these metrics we can identity where the connectivity issue is, and because of that those feedback mechanisms we would address those internet gaps.” He said.
The rating parameters include speed, accessibility, availability, and security of internet services. This will offer a valuable reference point for property owners and government institutions to determine the required level of connectivity relative to the user traffic within a specific area or building.
Currently, consumers lack an accessible method to assess the quality of internet connectivity in places such as airports, shopping malls, hotels, libraries, and coffee shops. The objective of the index is to be as intuitive and user-friendly as the traditional 5-star system for hotels. – Irma Isip and Myla Iglesias
