Camille Naredo

Linemen install cables for internet connection along Tomas Morato area in Quezon City on October 27, 2020. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File

Linemen install cables for internet connection along Tomas Morato area in Quezon City on October 27, 2020. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News

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LINE-MAINTENANCE

Jekki Pascual

ABS-CBN News

<div><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/175551337815620201027-internet-connection-maintenance-JC-010243010_iOS.jpg" style="width:960px" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="Linemen install cables for internet connection along Tomas Morato area in Quezon City on October 27, 2020. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File"/>Linemen install cables for internet connection along Tomas Morato area in Quezon City on October 27, 2020. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</div>MANILA -- The Department of Information and Communications Technology wants to revise a portion of the National Building Code of the Philippines to make the internet connection at par with water and electricity when it comes to construction of new buildings.At Globe’s Innovania 2025 summit, DICT Sec. Henry Aguda said the internet should be treated like a public utility as it is now a right of every Filipino. Therefore, he said internet connection should be part of the plans when building homes or any structure. &quot;Dapat parang tubig at kuryente yan. Dapat kapag gumawa ka ng bagong building at bahay, may kasama ng internet,&quot; he told an audience composed mostly of people in the telco sector.<div><a class="fr-green fr-strong" href="https://www.abs-cbn.com/news/technology/2025/6/26/dict-launches-bayanihan-sim-to-improve-internet-connectivity-in-far-flung-areas-1903">READ: DICT launches Bayanihan SIM to improve internet connectivity in far-flung areas</a></div>He added that internet infrastructure must also be rent-free for telcos. Currently, many condominiums and subdivisions are asking telcos to pay them to put up a connection for the residents. Some also have exclusivity deals with a telco so the others cannot put up connections in a particular area.Aguda hopes that a revised building code can address those concerns.Globe President and CEO Carl Cruz said this new proposal is music to his ears and is a measure long sought by the industry. He said if this pushes through, they can collaborate with other telco players to create shared connections or lines similar to a common tower.&quot;If the new revised building code will be passed, this will only hasten the development of solutions required for building. Because in a way it’s a double whammy because of the difficulty to expand the network results to indoor coverage relatively on the low side,&quot; Cruz said.Both Aguda and Cruz said internet connection required in every home or building similar to water and electricity will also improve the value of real estate and will also beef up the economy.Cruz said: &quot;That elevates the experience of the tenants- whether commercial or residential. And it also just relatively explodes the nation-building part because education is enabled, employment is enabled, digital financial inclusion is enabled, and basically progress done the right way will also be enabled.&quot;Aguda said they are still studying this proposal and will soon meet with Congress to discuss the agency’s legislative agenda.Meanwhile, Aguda revealed they will soon issue an order extending the license to operate of cell towers from the current 5 years to potentially 15 or 20 years. He said the existing 5-year contract is too short and to entice more investors, they plan to increase the term of the contract.&quot;There&#x27;s already a department order that is being prepared in DICT to renew the tower license to operate,&quot; he said.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology wants to revise a portion of the National Building Code of the Philippines to make the internet connection at par with water and electricity when it comes to construction of new buildings.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology wants to revise a portion of the National Building Code of the Philippines to make the internet connection at par with water and electricity when it comes to construction of new buildings.

DICT wants revised building code to include internet connection

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DICT wants revised building code to include internet connection

Jekki Pascual,

ABS-CBN News

Published Aug 18, 2025 06:38 PM PHT

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DICT

internet connection

National Building Code of the Philippines

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