Digital infrastructure watchdog Telecom Tower Watch called for a new regulatory regime that will boost the development of a nationwide digital infrastructure to meet surging demand for fast and reliable connectivity in an emerging digital ecosystem.
“Congress must update obsolete laws and regulations to be digital-ready and to be responsive to new technologies that are essential in developing a thriving digital economy,” said Telecom Tower Watch.
Telecom Tower Watch is an independent advocacy project of consumer group, CitizenWatch Philippines in partnership with the Department of Information and Communications Technology to push the fast expansion of an integrated national digital infrastructure.
The group noted that under Republic Act RA 3846 regulating radio communications and the proposed Open Access in Data Transmission bill (House Bill No. 8901), once passed into law, telecommunications companies will be required to secure separate franchises for voice and digital data services even when both operations utilize the same network infrastructure.
Section 16 of Republic Act No. 7925 or the Public Telecommunications Policy Act likewise requires a congressional franchise to operate a public telecommunications company.
“Though HB 8901 aims to liberalize, lower cost, and accelerate roll-out urgently needed broadband infrastructure, this looming double franchise requirement is an unnecessary bureaucratic burden that must be resolved by legislators,” the group said.