Clamor for passage of data open access bill intensifies
The Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association (PCTA) has joined the other private sector groups in calling for the quick passage of “Konektadong Pinoy” bill, or the proposed Open Access in Data Transmission Act, in order to provide better internet coverage across the country.
The umbrella organization of cable television operators and internet service providers, in a statement on Wednesday, said the bill could “bridge the digital divide and empower all FIlipinos with connectivity.”
The bill, pending for Senate plenary deliberations, seeks to provide Filipinos with affordable internet access by encouraging entry of more industry players that can develop critical infrastructure.
According to the proposed act, the National Telecommunications Commission must “ensure that the data transmission sector remains open and accessible to all qualified participants.”
The group said this would allow “small players to further invest in infrastructure, especially in underserved areas where various hurdles hinder our efforts.”
Other business groups like the Joint Foreign Chambers of the Philippines, the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Philippine Exporters Confederation Inc. also threw their support behind the bill.
Along with this, the government released last year the Joint Memorandum Circular (JMC) 2023-01, which outlines the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of Executive Order (EO) 32 otherwise known as “Streamlining the Permitting Process for the Construction of Telecommunications and Internet Infrastructure.”
The JMC mandates that permits related to construction of telecommunication and internet infrastructure be processed within seven days to speed up the rollout of networks supporting connectivity across the country.
The IRR also instructed all cities and municipalities to set up one-stop shops for construction permits of the active infrastructure such as antennas, antenna systems, transmitters, transmission systems, radio frequency modules, channel elements and other radio-communication systems.
In addition, the government has also been implementing the common tower policy or tower sharing, which is a cost-effective solution that enables operators to expand footprint across the country without putting up more facilities. Instead, operators will lease the towers from the independent tower companies that allow multiple users at a time.
