NTC orders telcos, ISPs to suspend repairs days before, after May 9 polls

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has ordered telecommunication companies (telcos) and internet service providers (ISPs) to suspend all major repair and maintenance works for over a week within the critical election period.

In a statement Thursday, the NTC said it issued a memorandum circular on April 25 directing telcos and ISPs to implement a “network freeze.”

With this, the telcos and ISPs were ordered to suspend all major network repair and maintenance works from May 4 to 14, 2022.

“This will ensure non-interruption of telecommunication services and continued digital connectivity of election related communications during this time,” the NTC said.

“However, emergency repairs are permitted provided that the NTC is notified of the same.”

Concerned entities are directed to immediately inform the NTC of the details of their emergency repairs.

“Telcos and ISPs maintenance personnel (including subcontractors) are required to use proper company ID, uniform and shall use company marked vehicles at all times,” the agency said.

At a virtual press briefing, PLDT and Smart head of Technology Mario Tamayo said the company will abide by the NTC’s order but will still proceed with emergency repairs, whenever outages occur, as “this will still affect the election.”

The NTC said it will furnish the notices to the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), and Philippine National Police (PNP) to prevent unscrupulous persons from causing any interruption on telecommunication services.

The agency added that it also requested the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) to suspend ongoing diggings that may cause fiber cuts from May 4 to 14, 2022, as it received a letter from Globe concerning possible fiber cuts that may be brought about by the diggings.

Globe and DITO Telecommunity have yet to respond to requests for comment on the matter. —KBK, GMA News