PLDT benefits from faster permit issuance

MANILA, Philippines — Telco giant PLDT Inc. said improvements in the issuance of permits for telecommunications infrastructure in the country are enabling the company to deliver better internet experience for its customers.

PLDT and its wireless arm Smart have secured around 22,000 fixed and wireless permits since the government fast-tracked approvals for telco firms last year.

PLDT said the streamlining, coupled with its aggressive buildout despite the risks brought about by the pandemic, has allowed the company to deliver improved customer experience.

“Our nation-widest coverage through wireless and fiber footprint expansion strengthens our foundation as the only integrated telco in the country. Speed in the homes is strengthened by our ongoing fiber rollout, while 5G continues to lift the wireless experience?,” PLDT and Smart president and CEO Alfredo Panlilio said.

“We are leading this charge and will never stop innovating, as we aim to help elevate the country’s overall speeds, taking the Philippines to global heights,” he said.

Based on Ookla’ Speedtest Intelligence data, Smart’s average mobile download speeds have almost tripled from 16.60 Mbps to 47.30 Mbps between May 2020 and May 2021, while PLDT’s average fixed download speeds have more than doubled from 27.44 Mbps to 67.91 Mbps in the same period.

In the latest Speedtest Global Index published by Ookla, the Philippines’ mobile average download speeds stood at 31.98 Mbps, while average fixed broadband speeds were at 59.73 Mbps.

The results placed the country at 77th and 65th, respectively, representing significant improvements from last April’s rankings.

The National Telecommunications Commission attributed the significant progress in the country’s ranking the past month to the government’s support in expediting the release of LGU permits required for telco infrastructure.

Among the government initiatives that have helped speed up the telco rollout are the Anti-Red Tape Authority’s issuance last year of the joint memorandum circular fast-tracking the issuance of permits and the Department of Public Works and Highways’ recently issued Department Order 29 (DO 29), which allows telecommunications companies to occupy a portion of the government right of way.

PLDT said DO 29’s issuance also assists in ensuring the timely maintenance of its fiber infrastructure as well as Smart’s cell sites.