A congressional leader has asked the government to look into the possibility of tapping the multi-billion-peso spectrum user fees collections to fund infrastructure projects that will improve the country’s internet speed and connectivity.
SUFs are collected annually from mobile network operators in addition to all existing fees imposed by the National Telecommunications Commission. As of December 31, 2019, the SUF collections stood at almost P6 billion.
House Deputy Majority Leader and Party-list Rep. Bernadette Herrera of Bagong Henerasyon made the recommendation during the hearing of the House Committee on Appropriations on the proposed 2021 budget of the Department of Information and Communications Technology.
“Internet has become an essential commodity given the growing trend of working and studying from home, especially now that people are required to adhere to social distancing and health protocols to contain the spread of coronavirus,” Herrera said.
In response, DICT Secretary Gregorio Honasan II said he would coordinate with Herrera and Congress on how the SUF collections can be used in providing faster internet connection to the public.