Globe Telecom urges passage of Open Access Law

MANILA, Philippines – Globe Telecom Inc. is urging the government to prioritize the passage of an Open Access Law for the telecommunications industry to minimize red tape and expedite the issuance of all relevant permits for all telco facilities.

In a statement, Globe said the government would need to prioritize Internet infrastructure so businesses can build on their capabilities and support domestic economic growth as various industries are moving to digital processes.

“In addition to enhancing and improving access to education, government services, entertainment and social media,  a robust Internet infrastructure provides tremendous opportunities for business and greatly impacts economic growth. This is something the government can help by providing the right regulatory environment as we build an Internet infrastructure that would develop ICT (information and communications technology) capabilities of local industries for stronger economic growth and wonderful Philippines,” Globe president and chief executive officer Ernest Cu said.

Cu said the government can expedite legislation to mitigate bureaucratic red tape and other political hurdles in the deployment of telecommunication and broadband infrastructure, such as cell sites.

In particular, an Open Access Law for the telco industry should be passed to expedite the issuance of all the relevant permits for all telecommunications facilities at the local government level.

Telecommunication companies are required to secure several permits.

Globe currently has about 500 cell sites waiting to be built.

“Prioritizing the Open Access Law for the telco industry would help fast track fiber builds that will increase Internet access and speeds in the country,” Cu said.

Apart from the Open Access Law, Cu is also pushing for the immediate harmonization and equitable distribution of the 700 megahertz (MHz) frequency to allow service providers to address the rapidly increasing data traffic amid growing smartphone use in the country.

The 700 MHz band is considered key to providing faster Internet speeds given its ability to easily penetrate buildings and walls and its greater coverage with less investments required.

The proposed harmonization is supported by ITU or the United Nations agency for information and communications technologies, which maintains that utilization of the frequency will help bridge the digital divide worldwide.

In the Philippines, the bulk of the 700 MHz band is held by San Miguel Corp. through wi-Tribe Telecoms Inc.’s 80 MHz and High Frequency Telecommunications Inc.’s 10 MHz. The 10 MHz balance is assigned to New Century Telecommunications.

Globe and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. have earlier called on the National Telecommunications Commission for the reallocation of the frequency to allow the firms to get a share of the spectrum and provide better Internet services.