DICT open to talks with telcos on Konektadong Pinoy Bill concerns | ABS-CBN
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DICT open to talks with telcos on Konektadong Pinoy Bill concerns
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Thursday said it is open to holding dialogues with telco operators to address their concerns about the Konektadong Pinoy bill.
The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Thursday said it is open to holding dialogues with telco operators to address their concerns about the Konektadong Pinoy bill.
The measure, which was passed on third and final reading at the Senate earlier this month, seeks to boost internet connectivity in the Philippines by making it easier for new industry players, foreign and local, to enter the market and develop critical infrastructure across the country.
The measure, which was passed on third and final reading at the Senate earlier this month, seeks to boost internet connectivity in the Philippines by making it easier for new industry players, foreign and local, to enter the market and develop critical infrastructure across the country.
But in a statement, the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO) said that some provisions, particularly the removal of the congressional franchise requirement for data transmission providers, undermine constitutional provisions and fair competition principles.
But in a statement, the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO) said that some provisions, particularly the removal of the congressional franchise requirement for data transmission providers, undermine constitutional provisions and fair competition principles.
“Further, the removal of the franchise and CPCN (Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity) requirements eliminates crucial safeguards that protect public interest by ensuring that telecommunications providers meet specific standards and obligations in order to provide quality and reliable services. It may also compromise national security by granting access to critical infrastructure to potentially unregulated entities, both foreign and domestic,” it added.
“Further, the removal of the franchise and CPCN (Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity) requirements eliminates crucial safeguards that protect public interest by ensuring that telecommunications providers meet specific standards and obligations in order to provide quality and reliable services. It may also compromise national security by granting access to critical infrastructure to potentially unregulated entities, both foreign and domestic,” it added.
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Speaking to the media at the sidelines of a Telco Forum organized by the Anti-Red Tape Authority, DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey Dy noted that data transmission players would still have to secure a franchise from the National Telecommunications Commission.
Speaking to the media at the sidelines of a Telco Forum organized by the Anti-Red Tape Authority, DICT Undersecretary Jeffrey Dy noted that data transmission players would still have to secure a franchise from the National Telecommunications Commission.
Meanwhile, a group of small telco players such as those operating in the provinces also expressed fears of being displaced with the influx of new players.
Meanwhile, a group of small telco players such as those operating in the provinces also expressed fears of being displaced with the influx of new players.
Dy said the DICT is willing to hear them out in person.
Dy said the DICT is willing to hear them out in person.
“DICT is willing to dialogue with them. Have your position paper sent to us or to my office, to the Secretary… May IRR (Implementing Rules and Regulations) pa naman. Minsan the devil is in the details. If the IRR is foolproof then we’ll be able to protect them,” he said.
“DICT is willing to dialogue with them. Have your position paper sent to us or to my office, to the Secretary… May IRR (Implementing Rules and Regulations) pa naman. Minsan the devil is in the details. If the IRR is foolproof then we’ll be able to protect them,” he said.
For Dy, the bill could even be beneficial to them.
For Dy, the bill could even be beneficial to them.
“What we’re confident is that we can bring down the price of the internet. And I’m sure that the small players, yung mga nandodoon sa probinsiya, the cable TV operators— they’re also looking forward to smaller and cheaper cost of wholesale bandwidth. Sa ngayon kasi wala silang masyadong options,” he said.
“What we’re confident is that we can bring down the price of the internet. And I’m sure that the small players, yung mga nandodoon sa probinsiya, the cable TV operators— they’re also looking forward to smaller and cheaper cost of wholesale bandwidth. Sa ngayon kasi wala silang masyadong options,” he said.
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