NTC renews NBN project push despite ZTE fiasco

Despite the project courting controversies and leading to calls for the ouster of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, the National Telecommunications Commission plans to pursue the national broadband network program and make sure it is implemented by 2010. In its updated Medium Term Philippine Development Plan (MTPDP) for 2008 to 2010, the NTC said it wants 100-percent broadband network services provided in all municipalities of the country by 2010. As of last year, 844 municipalities or 51.78 percent of targeted areas have been provided with Internet Access Points, while 786 municipalities have no access. On the other hand, the number of government agencies with Internet connections stood at 79 percent. According to the NTC's blueprint, the development of the country’s digital infrastructure will be accelerated through continuously optimizing the participation of/partnership with the private sector. The MTPDP said the private sector will lead the deployment and expansion of digital infrastructure, especially to unserved and underserved areas, as well as the convergence of telecommunications, IP technology, broadcast media, cable TV, and other technologies. This, even as the NBN controversy started due to allegations that the deal with supplier ZTE Corp. of China had been padded by $130 million to make way for kickbacks going to former Commission on Elections chairman Benjamin Abalos and First Gentleman Jose Miguel Arroyo. The NTC said it will also issue guidelines to allow installation of access networks in coordination with public telecommunication entities (PTEs) in areas where there are no networks and facilities available at prices, terms and conditions that would allow the small and medium enterprises (SMEs) fair and equitable return on their investments. - GMANews.TV