Smart Broadband franchise extended for 25 years

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has signed into law the extension of the franchise of Smart Broadband Inc. for another 25 years.

Republic Act 11678, signed by the President on April 8, granted Smart Broadband Inc., formerly Meridian Telekoms Inc., a franchise “to construct, install, establish, maintain, lease and operate wire and/or wireless telecommunications systems throughout the Philippines.”

Smart Broadband is a unit of Smart Communications Inc., a subsidiary of PLDT Inc.

Under RA 11678, Smart Broadband should improve and extend services in areas not yet served, or are hazard- and typhoon-prone as determined by the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, or its legal successor, in coordination with the National Telecommunications Commission.

Smart Broadband should also improve and upgrade its equipment, facilities and services in compliance with the objectives of Republic Act 10639 or “The Free Mobile Disaster Alerts Act.”

The company should also offer at least 30 percent of its outstanding capital stock to Filipino citizens within five years from the effectivity of the law.

It should also provide employment opportunities and accept on-the-job trainees in its franchise operations, provided that priority shall be accorded to residents of the place where its principal office is located.

Duterte also signed the following measures on April 8: RA 11673, an act granting Sulu-Tawi-Tawi Broadcasting Foundation Inc. a franchise to construct, install, operate and maintain radio and television stations in the provinces of Sulu and Tawi-Tawi; RA 11674, renewing for another 25 years the franchise of Mati Telephone Corp.; RA 11675, extending the 25-year franchise of Odiongan Telephone Corp.; RA 11676, renewing for another 25 years the franchise of R.C. Yulo Telephone System Inc.; RA 11677, renewing for another 25 years the franchise of Marbel Telephone System Inc.; RA 11679, extending for another 25 years the franchise of Bicol Telephone and Telegraph Inc.; RA 11680, granting Southern Luzon State University a franchise to construct, install, establish, operate and maintain for educational and other related purposes radio and television broadcasting stations within its campuses in the province of Quezon; and RA 11681, granting Capricom Broadcasting Network Corp. a franchise to “construct, install, establish, operate and maintain radio and television broadcasting stations” in Tabaco City, Albay, and other areas in the Philippines.