The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and Better Internet PH (BIP) are championing legislative measures intended to update outdated internet laws and address legal obstacles that have stifled the roll-out of broadband infrastructure.

 

The legal frameworks currently governing the country’s broadband services date back to as early as the 1930’s when internet service did not yet exist.

 

Republic Act 3846 or the Radio Control Law of 1931 requires a legislative franchise to access radio spectrum, which is important for offering wireless Internet.  On the other hand, Republic Act 7925 or the Public Telecommunications Policy Act of 1995 limits the building of “networks” to telcos with franchise.

 

“It is lamentable that in this digital age, the Philippines remains to be the lone country in the world that still needs a congressional franchise to provide data transmission service,” PCCI President George Barcelon stated.

 

The Open Access in Data Transmission Act, one of the proposed policy reforms, seeks to remove the requirement for a congressional franchise, Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN), and Provisional Authority (PA).

 

“The bill introduces an efficient and expeditious process for the qualification and registration of broadband industry players.  It also promotes the sharing of infrastructure and streamlining of the permitting process,” says BIP Lead Advocate Grace Mirandilla-Santos.

 

To ensure that connectivity reaches the geographically-isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), PCCI and BIP are pushing for the Rural Wired Development Act.  The bill proposes to incentivize the expansion of wired internet services in rural areas.

 

Edward Du, project Lead of Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce’s (NOCCI) Free Wi-Fi project who initiated the Public-Private Partnership Off-Grid Internet Project in Negros Occidental pointed out that the said bill should ensure climate-smart wired infrastructure networks.

 

Citing the devastation of Super Typhoon Odette on the region’s infrastructure, Du said, “It is not enough to merely incentivize the roll-out of wired infrastructure but we should make it more resilient by moving it underground.”

 

To induce investment in satellite technology, the stakeholders are advocating the enactment of the Satellite-based Technologies Promotions Act and the Spectrum Management Act.

 

The Satellite-Based Technology Act seeks to deregulate the use of satellite-based Internet technologies by allowing more industry players to connect to satellites for Internet connectivity.  The Spectrum Act on the other hand, introduces transparency, equity, and competition in radio spectrum management.

 

Assuring his support, DICT Secretary Atty. Ivan John Uy said, “As our country gets more connected, areas that are isolated and do not have access to digital infrastructure will suffer the most in terms of development.  And so, the government is willing to step in to find ways and means to connect them,” he said.

 

Uy’s legislative agenda further includes amending the National Building Code to incorporate internet connection before issuing a permit-to-occupy. He also welcomed the introduction of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite and the amendments to the Public Service Act.

 

Good internet connectivity and access to technology are insufficient without a cybersecurity plan.

 

Network Security Expert William Yu called on the DICT to support the EO on Critical Information Infrastructure Protection which aims to protect infrastructure that provide vital services by requiring entities who own, operate, and maintain the computer systems and ICT networks to comply with minimum information security standards.  Anya Marie Cruz

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) and Better Internet PH (BIP) are championing legislative measures intended to update outdated internet laws and address legal obstacles that have stifled the roll-out of broadband infrastructure.

 

The legal frameworks currently governing the country’s broadband services date back to as early as the 1930’s when internet service did not yet exist.

 

Republic Act 3846 or the Radio Control Law of 1931 requires a legislative franchise to access radio spectrum, which is important for offering wireless Internet.  On the other hand, Republic Act 7925 or the Public Telecommunications Policy Act of 1995 limits the building of “networks” to telcos with franchise.

 

“It is lamentable that in this digital age, the Philippines remains to be the lone country in the world that still needs a congressional franchise to provide data transmission service,” PCCI President George Barcelon stated.

 

The Open Access in Data Transmission Act, one of the proposed policy reforms, seeks to remove the requirement for a congressional franchise, Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN), and Provisional Authority (PA).

 

“The bill introduces an efficient and expeditious process for the qualification and registration of broadband industry players.  It also promotes the sharing of infrastructure and streamlining of the permitting process,” says BIP Lead Advocate Grace Mirandilla-Santos.

 

To ensure that connectivity reaches the geographically-isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), PCCI and BIP are pushing for the Rural Wired Development Act.  The bill proposes to incentivize the expansion of wired internet services in rural areas.

 

Edward Du, project Lead of Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce’s (NOCCI) Free Wi-Fi project who initiated the Public-Private Partnership Off-Grid Internet Project in Negros Occidental pointed out that the said bill should ensure climate-smart wired infrastructure networks.

 

Citing the devastation of Super Typhoon Odette on the region’s infrastructure, Du said, “It is not enough to merely incentivize the roll-out of wired infrastructure but we should make it more resilient by moving it underground.”

 

To induce investment in satellite technology, the stakeholders are advocating the enactment of the Satellite-based Technologies Promotions Act and the Spectrum Management Act.

 

The Satellite-Based Technology Act seeks to deregulate the use of satellite-based Internet technologies by allowing more industry players to connect to satellites for Internet connectivity.  The Spectrum Act on the other hand, introduces transparency, equity, and competition in radio spectrum management.

 

Assuring his support, DICT Secretary Atty. Ivan John Uy said, “As our country gets more connected, areas that are isolated and do not have access to digital infrastructure will suffer the most in terms of development.  And so, the government is willing to step in to find ways and means to connect them,” he said.

 

Uy’s legislative agenda further includes amending the National Building Code to incorporate internet connection before issuing a permit-to-occupy. He also welcomed the introduction of Low Earth Orbit (LEO) satellite and the amendments to the Public Service Act.

 

Good internet connectivity and access to technology are insufficient without a cybersecurity plan.

 

Network Security Expert William Yu called on the DICT to support the EO on Critical Information Infrastructure Protection which aims to protect infrastructure that provide vital services by requiring entities who own, operate, and maintain the computer systems and ICT networks to comply with minimum information security standards.  - Anya Marie Cruz

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