NTC cites gov't neglect for poor internet connectivity

Telecom companies may not necessarily be solely at fault for the poor cellular and internet services in the country.

Some of the reasons why the quality of telecom services still leave much to be desired are the difficulty in putting up cellular sites and lack of government investment in information and communications technology (ICT), the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) said on Wednesday.

In some cases it takes years for a telco to put cell sites, NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba said during congressional hearings on the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DICT) proposed P3.5-billion budget for 2017.

Some local government units require telcos to secure as much as 32 permits before a company can start building a cell site, he said.

But more than the difficulty of securing permits, Cordoba noted the government’s lack of investment in ICT as a major factor for poor cellular and internet services in the country.

Other countries invest millions of dollars a year on ICT infrastructure, while the Philippine government doesn’t have funds set aside for this purpose.

“In the Philippines, if you would ask us how much the government spends on telco infrastructure, the answer is zero," Cordoba said. "Countries spending so much in telco infrastructure know it will affect their bottom line, their GDP (gross domestic product).”

Telcos also encounter difficulties in trying to install cell sites in private subdivisions, a situation that leads to poor cellular signal.

“If you live inside villages like Ayala Alabang, Forbes Park, La Vista, kaya may ganoong problema, it’s because the homeowners association doesn’t allow cell sites to be put up inside the villages,” Cordoba noted.

The reluctance stems from supposed health hazards posed by the cell sites, and the unsightly appearance of the structure within a private enclave, he said.

While more needs to be done on improving the country’s cellular and internet services, the NTC said the Philippines now fares better than in previous years.

Cordoba cited a United Nations’ 2016 report on e-government rankings which showed the Philippines having a high e-government development index (EGDI).

A report by the International Telecommunication Union also showed the Philippines’ ICT ranking improving from 105 in 2000 to 98 out of 167 countries, the NTC official noted. — VDS, GMA News