Senate OKs 25-yr. franchise of Smart Communications

The Senate on Monday approved on third and final reading a bill extending by another 25 years the franchise of Smart Communications Inc. that compels the telco to expand its coverage in areas not yet served by any network.

The bill specified that the wholly-owned subsidiary of PLDT Inc. extend its network to calamity-prone areas, where the presence of telecom services can help in times of disaster.

Senator Grace Poe, who sponsored the measure, said the bill also introduces important amendments that would better protect the interest of telecommunications users.

The first amendment is the deletion of the term “co-use” in the application of the franchise so that “this seemingly innocuous word cannot be invoked in employing anti-competition practices.”

The bill was approved with 15 affirmative votes, and two negative votes by Senators Risa Hontiveros and Panfilo Lacson.

It grants Smart a franchise to “establish, install, maintain, lease and operate integrated telecommunications/computer/electronic services, and stations throughout the country for public, domestic and international telecommunications.” — Kathrina Charmaine Alvarez/VDS, GMA News