NTC prepares rules on shift to Japan standard

MANILA, Philippines - The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) is set to issue a circular next month formalizing the country’s shift to digital technology using the Japanese standard.

NTC deputy commissioner Edgardo Cabarios said the agency would likely issue the memorandum circular for “Standard for Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) Broadcast Service” next month after meeting with major players in the industry yesterday morning.

Cabarios pointed out the industry led by rivals ABS-CBN Corp. and GMA Network Inc. was well represented during yesterday’s public hearing as the NTC executive conference room was jampacked.

He explained that the major players in the industry did not oppose the adoption of Japan’s Integrated Service Digital Broadcasting-Terrestrial or ISDB-T standard

“Nobody opposed the proposal to adopt the Japanese or ISDB-T standard. The industry was well represented as the room was full,” he added.

During the hearing, he said proponents made some clarification on some provisions particularly on definitions in the proposed memorandum circular

“They wanted to clarify some definition in the circular. We have to study their comments as any change in the definition might restrict or expand the meaning,” he clarified.

According to him, NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba will issue the circular next month paving the way for the creation of a technical working group that would craft the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) starting December.

President Aquino announced after meeting with Prime Minister Shinzo Abe on the sidelines of the Asean Meeting in Brunei last month that the Philippines was poised to pick the Japanese digital TV standard.