DICT targets to seal deal with NGCP on Nat'l Broadband Plan this year

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is targeting to sign an agreement with the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) on using the company's fiber optic network to roll out the National Broadband Plan (NBP).

"When Usec. Dennis Villorente makes a recommendation on the facilities that he want and we immediately agreed on the terms, baka within the year maka-pirma na tayo sa memorandum of understanding with NGCP," Informations and Communications Technology Secretary Rodolfo Salalima told reporters on the sidelines of the formal launching of the NBP in Manila on Friday.

"Everything will depend on the inspections by Usec. Villorente...nasabi nga niya na from Day 1 when we start getting the facilities for the broadband mean na meron na tayong fiber optic na ipo-provide ng NGCP," the Cabinet official said.

Villorente said the department is now looking at the government assets that make up the national electricity transmission currently managed by the NGCP.

Salalima earlier announced that the Cabinet decided to go for a "north-to-south" infrastructure development, which would require using the 5,000 to 10,000 kilometers of fiber optic cables of the NGCP to make it easier for the government to implement the plan.

"We have to make a decision on formalizing an agreement with them," Villorente told reporters at the same event.

With the use of NGCP fiber optics cable, the cost of implementation is expected to be lower, he said.

The DICT has estimated that implementing the broadband plan will cost between P77 billion and P200 billion.

"I personally think so – that it will be substantially reduced – but it's better if we wait for the feasibility study," Villorente said.

"So today, we formally unveiled the NBP so our next milestone is to complete a feasibility study. Hopefully, we can do that by end of this year," he added.

The department is creating two task force groups for the feasibility study, one that    will focus on the regulatory and policy requirements, and the other on putting up of the broadband infrastructure that will be funded by the government.

It is also looking at other contractors to possibly handle the plan, but Salalima noted the priority is to secure an agreement with the NGCP.

"Itong fiber optic network nila ang magiging primary network. At 'yung kulang doon 'yun, tsaka namin su-supplyan. For example between Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao baka mangailangan pa tayo ng submarine cables diyan," the Cabinet official noted.

"Whether or not we will formalize agreements with other stakeholders, unahin muna natin ma-formalize sa NGCP," he added.

The NGCP earlier said it supports the plan and has been in close coordination with the DICT and Department of Energy on possible partnerships to bring high-speed internet nationwide. — VDS, GMA News