Business groups called on the Senate to commence deliberations on its version of the Open Access in Data Transmission bill to fasttrack the passage of the measure that aims to attract investments in telecommunication infrastructure.
This after the House of Representative approved recently House Bill 8910 on third and final reading.
In a letter to Senate President Sotto, the groups called for the immediate passage of the reform, noting its importance to economic recovery and more competition and investment in broadband, especially in underserved areas throughout the Philippines.
The proposed Open Access in Data Transmission Act, filed in the Senate under Senate Bill Nos. (SBN) 45 authored by Senate President Pro Tempore Ralph Recto and Sen. Grace Poe and SBN 911, authored by Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr. are pending in Science and Technology Committee chaired by Sen. Nancy Binay.
The House approved the bill on third reading for two consecutive Congresses while the Senate bill remained in Committee for the 17th and 18th Congresses.
The groups also noted the support of the Department of Information and Communications Technology, the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and its Financial Inclusion Steering Committee, and the National Economic Development Agency for the measure.
“Once passed into law, the Open Access bill will provide a competitive policy and regulatory framework that lowers the barriers and cost to enter the data transmission market. This will significantly improve data transmission services (faster internet speed and lower internet costs) throughout the country,” the groups said. – Irma Isip
