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Streamlining permits under Bayanihan 2 to help 'dramatically' increase telco towers: Globe

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<figure class="op-interactive"><iframe height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/r6dUWdyvlcA?enablejsapi=1" width="560"></iframe></figure><div class="iwantbar">Watch more in <a href="//www.iwantv.com.ph/">iWantv</a> or <a href="//tfc.tv/">TFC.tv</a></div>MANILA - A provision under the Bayanihan 2 that streamlines the permitting process in building telco towers will help &quot;dramatically&quot; increase cell sites in the country, Globe Telecom said Monday. The provision under the ratified version of the country&#x27;s second coronavirus response law will facilitate in at least doubling the country&#x27;s &quot;barely&quot; 25,000 total number of cell sites, Globe Telecom chief technology officer Gil Genio told ANC.There is a provision under the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act that allows &quot;temporary suspension of requirements to secure permits and clearances for the construction of telecommunications and internet infrastructure.&quot;The bill gives telcos 3 years to construct without obstructions, which Genio said was enough. Bayanihan 2 is currently up for the signature of President Rodrigo Duterte.Other Asian countries with fewer population have over 90,000 cell sites, Genio said. &quot;The joint memorandum circular, the government and Bayanihan 2, would (help) facilitate putting up dramatically more cell sites in the country,&quot; Genio said. &quot;The Bayanihan 2, gives a 3-year window and I think 3 years is enough for this industry to have even double the number of sites,&quot; he added.Globe Telecom said it aims to offer 4G everywhere in the Philippines and to offer 5G in 8 major cities in Visayas and Mindanao. It said 5G is already available in central business districts in Metro Manila. <ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/07/31/20/isumbong-niyo-duterte-tells-telcos-to-report-lgus-obstructing-permits">&#x27;Isumbong niyo&#x27;: Duterte tells telcos to report LGUs obstructing permits</a></li></ul>President Rodrigo Duterte, in his 5th State of the Nation Address (SONA), threatened to <a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/07/27/20/duterte-threatens-to-shut-telcos-face-expropriation-if-no-improvement-by-december">shut or expropriate</a> telcos if no improvements were made until December.Genio said doubling the cell count to 50,000 in the next few years could help give the country &quot;the kind of internet penetration and coverage that we deserve.&quot;Its rival PLDT Inc&#x27;s Smart Communications earlier said its 5G mobile network went live commercially last July. <ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/07/29/20/smart-super-fast-5g-goes-live-as-commercial-service-on-july-30-pldt">Smart &#x27;super-fast&#x27; 5G goes &#x27;live&#x27; as commercial service on July 30: PLDT</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/07/03/20/dito-says-on-track-to-meet-march-2021-commercial-launch-despite-july-audit-delay">DITO remains &#x27;on track&#x27; with March 2021 launch despite audit delay</a></li></ul>Third telecommunications player DITO Telecommunity, which is mounting its network to challenge Globe and PLDT, committed to build 1,300 towers before its commercial launch in March 2021.

A provision under the Bayanihan 2 that streamlines the permitting process in building telco towers will help "dramatically" increase cell sites in the country, Globe Telecom said Monday.

A provision under the Bayanihan 2 that streamlines the permitting process in building telco towers will help "dramatically" increase cell sites in the country, Globe Telecom said Monday.