NTC eases rules on cell site construction

Cellular mobile telephone service (CMTS) operators no longer need prior government approval for the construction of radio base or cell stations.

In a just released memorandum circular, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said this will assist CMTS operators to respond quickly to the demand for cellphone service using the latest technology in radio transceivers and to provide the prescribed quality of service.

Prior to the issuance of the MC, cellular companies have to wait for a few months to be able to secure the required radio station permits and licenses from the NTC. They also have to go to several offices to get the necessary clearances.

As provided for under the new circular, CMTS operators shall within 60 days from the construction of a radio base (cell) station, submit to the NTC a written report and list of the radio stations, specifying the particulars of these stations such as the locations (coordinates), operating frequency band (800 mhz, 900 mhz, or 1800 mhz), number of channels, equipment serial numbers, antenna type, and gain.

In case of modifications of an existing radio station, a CMTS operator is required to submit a written report to the commission specifying the modifications made within 60 days after said modifications have been implemented.

The new MC also provides that the operators shall be held responsible for any complaints of interference to duly licensed radio stations caused by the operation of its radio base stations.

Meanwhile, the NTC may conduct before the end of the year a bidding for 140 pairs of frequencies in the 800 megahertz bandwidth for use by trunk radio operators, the first ever bidding of radio frequencies in six years.

NTC commissioner Eliseo Rio said that while government hopes that there will be no need for a bidding since this unusually raises the cost for public telecommunication entities, an auction may be necessary considering the huge interest shown in the frequencies currently being made available.

Among those that have expressed interest in the new frequencies are Nextel Phils., Smartnet, Contel, Worldwide, Liberty, and TNRI. Each company wants 50 to 100 pairs. "The demand is for at least 300 pairs," the NTC chief said.

Rio said he has given the companies until the end of this month to settle among themselves how best to allocate the 140 pairs of frequencies so that each will have a share. If this is not possible, then bidding will have to be resorted to, he explained. Rio said it may take at least two months for the NTC to finalize the bidding procedures.

Right now, users of this frequency pay a spectrum users’ fee of around P25,000 per year for a pair. The bidding price will be on top of this fee.

Nextel Communications Phils. Inc., one of the companies that has applied for additional frequencies, said it will use this for its expansion program.

The company in fact launched last Wednesday night Nextel Online, the first and only all-you-can wireless Internet service in the country. With this new service, subscribers can receive and send e-mail to any e-mail application and other Nextel Online subscribers here and abroad, get updates on news, business, current events, lifestyle, and surf all mobile Internet sites at a low flat monthly fee.

Nextel Online is the company’s new packet data service. Nextel president Emilio Festejo said the company aims to change the way communication is done with the introduction of the most advanced, fully integrated voice and data service delivered through one handset. Two way radio, mobile telephone, alphanumeric messaging, and packet data services are now available in every Nextel handset via the iDEN technology.

Nextel’s mobile phone also offers international roaming, which allows a subscriber to interconnect to any landline or mobile phone in the Philippines and anywhere in the world.