Globe takes down illegal signal boosters

Globe Telecom said it made headway in its campaign to address signal interference after uncovering several illegal signal boosters.

 

In a news release, the company said it found the illegal equipment in Marulas, Valenzuela City, Caloocan City, Quezon City, Tuguegarao City, Davao City, and two locations in Makati City. Globe said its agents "initiated separate discussions with building administrators and or owners concerned and they were able to secure their commitment to dismantle the illegal repeaters."

 

"The repeaters or signal boosters, without any permit from the National Telecommunications Commission, is illegal as such equipment hampers the flow of communication among our customers," said Froilan Castelo, Globe's general counsel.

 

According to the company, illegal signal boosters could cause users to experience dropped calls, garbled lines, and weak signals. They affect network and signal coverage by hogging the bandwidth from the network infrastructure.

 

In 2013, the National Telecommunications Commission issued Memorandum Order 01-02-2013, which prohibits the sale, importation, possession or use of "Cellular Mobile Repeaters and portable cell sites." 

 

According to the memorandum, only licensed Cellular Mobile Telephone Systems Operators, the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, and other similar government agencies performing vital functions related to national security or safety are allowed to own such devices. — Bea Montenegro/JST, GMA News