Skip to main content

Telcos to Gov’t: Help improve broadband service, enable industry to build more cell sites

The recent Broadband Policy study released by USAID and the Foreign Chambers of Commerce said that tower sharing could be a solution to increase broadband speed and make it more affordable.  The telco industry has indicated that even with tower sharing, this will not help address the issue of speed and affordability since the cell site towers of both telcos are similarly located. 

The Philippines ranks between Malaysia and Cambodia with 15,000 physical cell sites.
“What we need is to increase cell site density by building more cell sites,” said Globe General Counsel Froilan Castelo.    Based on the study made by TowerXchange in February 2016, the number of unique physical cell sites in the Philippines is one of the lowest in Asia with a combined 15,000 cell sites.   China has the highest number with 1.18 million cell sites, followed by India with 450,000, Indonesia with 76,477 cell sites while Vietnam has 55,000, Thailand with 52,483, Pakistan with 28,000, Bangladesh with 27,000 and Malaysia with 22,000 sites.

The Philippines with 15,000 cell sites is only higher than Cambodia and Australia, both with 9,000, Myanmar with 7,620 and Sri Lanka with 7,000. By comparison, the United States has a total of 205,000 cell towers in place.   


Castelo said that mobile data explosion amid growing access to internet connectivity, requires more bandwidth than traditional voice and text messaging services.  Thus, it demands the establishment of more cell sites for telecommunication operators to deliver mobile data services especially indoors.
As smartphones continue to evolve into all-encompassing wireless personal computers, telecommunication operators need to construct additional cell sites to enable their respective networks to transmit enormous amount of data. Cell sites transmit radio frequency signals that enable voice and data services in a given geographic area, simultaneously supporting multiple handsets, operating in different frequencies and maintaining customer connectivity even while they are in transit.

“The continuing clamor for better broadband service quality and experience has to do with the issue of congestion.  Despite various capability upgrades and network modernization using the latest technologies, the disproportionate number of cell sites vis a vis traffic in the advent of a digital revolution cancels out the gains of any state-of-the-art network.   We have to start facing the reality that more and more Filipinos especially the millennials are joining the digital bandwagon.  Using any smartphone, the Internet in the hands of an individual enriches one’s lifestyle.  In so doing, the country’s existing Internet infrastructure needs to catch up with the demand for data whether on mobile or at home.” Castelo said.
The Philippines by itself posing a challenge to connectivity because it is archipelago, with a population of 102 million in 42,000 barangays has to have a greater number of cell sites to cover existing usage. “Today we already need around 60,000 to 65,000 in a three-player market for telco companies to provide a more pervasive reach and better Internet speeds. In the next couple of years, smartphone penetration will go even higher and we will need to fill that gap as well,” he said.

Castelo emphasized that the prohibitive permitting environment, site acquisition and Right of Way issues have kept telecommunication operators, including Globe, from aggressively rolling out broadband infrastructure to boost Internet speeds in the country.  Globe alone has more than 500 cell sites waiting to be built at any given time.

“A lot of the infrastructure backlogs in the telecommunications industry could be attributed to challenges in getting LGU permits. This is why Globe has been calling on the government to provide policy support for initiatives to improve Internet infrastructure in the country,” he said.

Specifically, prioritizing an Open Access Law for the telco industry would expedite the issuance of all the relevant permits for all telecommunications facilities at the local government level. Such legislation is also seen to mitigate bureaucratic red tape and other political hurdles that stand in the way in the deployment of telecommunication and broadband infrastructure, Castelo said.

He emphasized that telecommunication companies are required to secure at least 25 permits, a few of which were also mentioned in the Broadband Policy paper which causes delay in the deployment of internet infrastructure such as cell sites, and fiber builds, among others.  According to Castelo, securing different permits at the LGU level could become very challenging, from the sheer number of permits to the different political personalities that mobile operators have to deal with.

Castelo emphasized that permit or regulatory fees imposed by various local government units should cover only the reasonable costs of regulation. Prior to enactment of any pertinent ordinance, local government units should be mandated to present an itemized proof of said regulatory costs. A public hearing involving telecommunications companies and other stakeholders within their jurisdictions should also be conducted prior to the enactment of any local ordinance. Also, when these costs are requested in writing, a local government unit should be able respond with the requested information in writing.

Castelo also said that if only the government can prioritize telco infrastructure builds, not only will majority of consumers benefit because of better Internet speed and better service quality but it will also connect other important areas to the Internet in a scale that has not been done before like public health centers and public schools.  This will address a lot of issues especially in the delivery of basic social services, disaster response and education at the barangay level.

Aside from pushing for the Open Access Law, Globe is also advocating for the immediate harmonization and equitable distribution of the 700 megahertz of frequency to sufficiently provide for rapidly increasing data traffic amid growing smartphone use in the country. He emphasized that the use of the 700 MHz will help improve internet speed in the country.

Based on data gathered by the GSMA, only the Philippines and Thailand are the two remaining countries in the Asia Pacific with major issues that have prevented allocation of the 700 MHz band to mobile broadband technologies

Comments

Check out more...

DICT, GeeksPH bolsters PH startup scene with 6th Geeks on a Beach in Panglao

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) and GeeksPH announced the revival of Geeks on a Beach (GOAB) after a four-year break and is set to happen in Panglao, Bohol on November 23-24, during the Philippine Startup Week 2023. The two-day international conference, known for leveraging Philippine tourism and ICT Industry expertise, will gather hundreds of entrepreneurs, investors, innovators, and globally-acclaimed startup ecosystem players to showcase the country’s startup achievements in both local and international scenes. GOAB 2023 will offer plenary sessions exploring potential investment opportunities and breakout sessions that will focus on sector-specific topics like Fintech, EduTech, HealthTech, AgriTech, and ClimateTech and other category-specific themes centered around youth and women. The event will also feature emerging technologies discussion, pitching fest, business matching, investors’ roundtable, and exhibits from various stakeholders. To cap off

GCash cautions against gambling apps used for phishing

A recent investigation by the National Privacy Commission (NPC) and the leading mobile wallet GCash, has led to the discovery of certain gambling sites and apps which were used for account takeovers in the recent surge of phishing scams. Additionally, some influencers may have unknowingly promoted these gaming apps without being aware of their fraudulent nature. GCash is now cautioning its users to be extremely careful when accessing online gambling sites and apps, and to avoid them altogether if possible. In this latest scheme, perpetrators created gambling apps while falsely claiming to be accredited by the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR). These apps deceive users with a verification process, redirecting them to a fake GCash website or payment page to top up betting credits. From there, fraudsters were able to access sensitive information such as credit card details, passwords, GCash numbers, MPINs, OTPs, and other personal data that can be exploited to gain unau

#Gcash users can now go cashless on their next Euro trip thanks to Alipay+ partnership

GCash users can now opt for a hassle-free, cashless payment method on their next Euro trip as the Philippines’ leading mobile wallet is now accepted in Europe’s top travel destinations, including the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy. This cross-border payment service is part of the e-wallet’s strengthened collaboration and partnership with Alipay+ to offer a seamless and secure payment experience, as well as real-time foreign exchange (forex) with no service fee, allowing customers to a hassle-free and rewarding travel experience abroad. Among the key merchants and stores that can accept GCash via Alipay+ are Harrods, Liberty London, and Harvey Nichols in the UK; Printemps in France; MĂĽller and dm-drogerie markt in Germany; as well as itTaxi, and IVS Group, the leader in the vending machines market, in Italy. “In line with our fervent commitment to make our customers’ everyday lives better and more convenient, we want to make sure that they can maximize their GCash account no

Enjoy up to 29% OFF on select realme smartphones this 6.6. TikTok Birthday Sale

Don’t miss out on BIG discounts as realme celebrates TikTok 6.6 Birthday Sale! It’s finally TikTok’s 6.6 Birthday Sale and realme Philippines goes all-in to celebrate with whopping discount offerings from June 1-8 only.  Mark your calendars and get up to 29% OFF on select realme  smartphones and up to 40%  on select realme AIoT products. On top of this, the Squad is also in for a treat since they can take home exciting freebies all-week long!  From June 1-8, every purchase of the real me  C35 (4GB+128GB)  comes with a FREE TechLife Buds Classic, while anybody who will avail the  realme C33 (4GB+64GB)  will get a C-Series Tempered Glass as a freebie. To make things even more thrilling, the first few customers to buy a realme 10 Pro+ 5G (12GB+256GB) from  June 4-8  will get their very own realme Watch 3 for FREE . Additionally, everyone will also get a FREE TechLife Power Bank 100000mAh for each purchase of realme 10 (8GB+128GB), realme 10 (8GB+256GB), realme 10 Pro 5G (8GB+256GB), and r

5 moments that made the 2022-23 NBA Season epic

Rewatch the season that was – and more – with NBA League Pass powered by PLDT Home!   The 2022-23 NBA season has been nothing short of epic. From the league’s best players cementing their legacies to teams achieving historic feats, the NBA has provided some of the best storylines throughout the year – all of which Filipino fans can revisit through NBA League Pass powered by PLDT Home. As the season culminated with the Denver Nuggets dominating over Miami Heat, 4-1, here’s a look back at some of its best moments: 1.  Big trades shock the league An NBA season isn’t complete without teams making huge moves before and at the league’s trade deadline. The Dallas Mavericks made the first big move, trading Spencer Dinwiddie and Dorian Finney-Smith to the Brooklyn Nets for Kyrie Irving, adding another superstar to their team to back up Slovenian superstar Luka Doncic.   However, the biggest trade was completed during the deadline, when the Phoenix Suns landed Kevin Durant in a massive four-team