DICT says third telco needs to interconnect with Globe, Smart networks

The proposed third telco player must interconnect with existing networks of PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc., the Department of Information and Communications Technology said on Tuesday.

But there is no need for Globe and PLDT subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. to worry about network security because the DICT will monitor what is going to happen, the department added.

“Globe and Smart have their own cybersecurity wall that nothing can go in and out of their system without being monitored by them,” DICT officer-in-charge Eliseo Rio Jr. told the House Committee on Information and Communications Technology during a hearing.

At the same time, the third telco “should come with its own cybersecurity which we, as DICT, can monitor, because that’s our mandate,” Rio noted.

Telcos have their own safety protocols to secure their respective networks once a third company enters the industry, he said.

During the hearing, House Minority leader Danilo Suarez voiced his concerns about the likely entry of a Chinese telco in the Philippines.

"This is a decision that the administration should not trust. We must be vigilant on its national security implication. As there are other players from countries where we have no diplomatic incident, there should be a fair chance to forward their offer. Study the telco proposal thoroughly to prevent any security breach," Suarez said.

President Rodrigo Duterte wants a third telecommunications player as he is dissatisfied with the services of the so-called duopoly and aims to break their longstanding foothold in the industry.

Rio noted that Globe and Smart are currently using hardware and software from China. “Both Globe and Smart are actually now using Chinese systems, Chinese products,” he said, citing Huawei and ZTE.

Sherwin de Joya, Legal and Regulatory division manager of Smart, said Chinese products are the “most viable options” in software and hardware.

“Unfortunately, because of the prices, we have to look for alternatives. It seemed that Chinese products are the most viable options considering that they do the same,” De Joya noted.

“Although we use Chinese products, the access to our systems is very limited. We have these security protocols to prevent any unauthorized access,” he said. — VDS/BM, GMA News