GLOBE Telecom Inc. is working with the government and real property developers in pushing for the removal of lease fees for in-building telco facilities.
The unregulated fees bloat telco expenses, derailing efforts to expand connectivity as demand continues to rise to improve connectivity, Globe said.
The company, however, has made some progress on the zero lease initiative.
“We have made some progress along these lines, getting a number of developers to already agree on this concept,” Ernest Cu, Globe president and chief executive officer, said in a statement.
“We’re just glad to report things are moving and moving in the right direction,” he added.
Cu noted that unlike water and power utilities, which are welcomed without charges, the telecom sector faces a different reality, where leases, access to telco rooms and various other fees still continue.
Cu’s vision is to remove obstacles hindering its growth and pave the way for telco services to be more affordable and readily available for all.
Currently, Globe is working with both real property developers and the government to align priorities for connectivity by encouraging them to remove lease fees for in-building solutions.
Globe said it also supports bills that seek to amend the outdated National Building Code so that connectivity would be recognized as a basic necessity, paving the way for the removal of lease fees for the installation of relevant infrastructure and the automatic allocation of space for telco cables and equipment in property projects.
Globe’s zero lease initiative is inspired by successful implementations in other Asia-Pacific countries, demonstrating that such a practice can reduce operational costs for telecom companies, foster a more competitive market, and benefit consumers with improved connectivity and services.
For instance, property developers in Australia are responsible for arranging and financing pit and pipe infrastructure, ensuring that telecom services are in place when new properties are occupied.
In Singapore and Hong Kong, building owners and developers are required to provide space and access for telecom licensees without imposing additional costs, a policy that underscores the mutual benefits for both the buildings and their tenants, creating a win-win situation.
