The government has no available frequency for any broadcast player that intends to operate either analog or digital terrestrial television (DTT) service, according to the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC).
This was revealed by NTC after it awarded all the frequencies previously held of Lopez-owned firm ABS-CBN Corp. to Villar- group owned Advanced Media Broadcasting System Inc. (AMBS), Swara Sug Media Corp. (SSMC) and Aliw Broadcasting Corp. (ABC) which include Channel 16, Chanel 2, channel 43 and channel 23, respectively for the rollout of digital terrestrial television in Metro Manila.
Edgardo Cabarios,NTC deputy commissioner, told Malaya Business Insight in a phone interview currently, if ever ABS-CBN secures a franchise this year or next year, it has to line up in the long list of applicants that eyeing for the frequencies.
Cabarios said ABS-CBN could still operate broadcast services through a partnership with any broadcast firms that have DTT frequencies as digital frequencies have multiple channels that could be shared to other firms.
In September 2020, NTC recalled all the radio, broadband and DTT frequencies and channels assigned to ABS-CBN Corp. in the absence of a congressional franchise. These assigned frequencies include five AM radio station, 17 FM radio stations and 42 TV station including DTT channel 43, channel 41 in Quezon City. NTC also recalled the 10 frequencies for DTTB stations which are schedule for implementation.
Meanwhile, Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) yesterday clarified the award of ABS-CBN’s frequencies to the three broadcast firms is not covered by the provisions on merger review under the Philippine Competition Act, and thus need not be notified to the PCC.
PCC added the re-allocation of the said frequencies in favor of AMBS, ABC and SSMC is a regulatory function of the NTC.
In the case of AMBS, this limits PCC’s purview until details of AMBS’ acquisition by the Villar Group, including its relation to Streamtech Systems Technologies Inc., are made public.
The PCC recommends amending the rules to include it as approving body in the assignment of vacated or available frequencies. This is a practice done by many jurisdictions across the world, in consideration of the impact on competition of players over scarce public goods like frequencies.
PCC said it supports the passage of the “Open Access in Data Transmission Act” to pave the way for a more transparent and fair spectrum management in the country.
“The PCC invites the public’s attention to check on the quality and price options available to the viewing public during the tenancy of AMBS, ABC, and SSMC as provisional authority-holders of frequencies previously managed by ABS-CBN.”PCC said in a statement.
