The Public Telecommunications Policy Act of the Philippines (Republic Act 7925) governs the development and delivery of public telecommunications in the country

It states in its policy declaration that “telecommunications is essential to the economic development, integrity and security of the Philippines, and as such shall be developed and administered as to safeguard, enrich and strength the economic, cultural, social and political fabric of the Philippines.”

The law recognizes that it is the government's fundamental objective to develop and maintain a viable, efficient, reliable and universal telecommunication infrastructure using the best available and affordable technologies, as a vital tool to nation building and development. Moreover, RA 7925 states in its policy declaration that expansion of the telecommunications network shall give priority to improving and extending basic services to areas not yet served. Moreover, it stipulates that the government shall promote a fair, efficient and responsive market to stimulate the growth and development of the telecommunications facilities and services at affordable rates.

To be able to operate telecommunications services, an organization will have to first secure a congressional franchise and a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) which will prove their financial, technical and legal capability to offer the proposed services. On top of this, carriers (including small local operators) also have a number of other licenses they must acquire for operation, including environmental clearance certificates, height clearances, and the local mayor’s permit. All in all, there are as many as 25 permits needed for each cell site. The sheer number of required permits is very difficult for a small entity to complete.

Lifted from Telecommunications-Infrastructure-January-2018.pdf

Pursuant to RA 7925, no person/ entity may conduct telecom business without obtaining a franchise. This franchise, as embedded in the Article XII of the Philippine Constitution, may only be granted to citizens of the Philippines or to corporations or associations organized under the Philippine laws and may only be granted by the Congress. However, the participation/ ownership of foreign investors in any public utility enterprise, in this case the telecom industry, is limited to 40% and all executive and managing officers of a certain telecom corporation must be citizens of the Philippines.

CPCN, as issued by the NTC, requires carriers to prove that they are technically and financially viable to operate. It contains the description of service, specific rate to be charged for the service and regulations, among others. In granting a CPCN, NTC may impose conditions such as the duration and termination of the privilege, concession, or standard or technical aspects of the equipment, rates, or services. The validity of the CPCN shall not be shorter than 5 years but not longer than the life of the franchise granted. Any expansion/ upgrading/ financing of networks and services aimed at providing additional services to cater to the demand which utilizes equipment compatible to or homologous to previously approved plant and facilities, shall not require any approval by the Commission.

Lifted from National Broadband Plan

As an archipelago of more than 7000 islands, the Philippines' international access and connectivity is supported mainly by submarine cable systems. Overall, as of first quarter of 2016, there are seven (7) international submarine cable landing stations which are operational (active) in the country. These are operated by PLDT, Globe Telecom and Telstra/Pacnet.

To supplement submarine cable systems connecting the country globally and complement the domestic backbones, there are at least eighteen (18) satellite providers that cater their VSAT services in the country.

The backbone infrastructure comprise of PLDT's Domestic Fiber Optic Network (DFON) and Globe Telecom's Fiber Optic Backbone Network (FOBN). In addition to this is the National Grid Corporation of the Philippine’s (NGCP) private telecommunication network nationwide.

DICT National Broadband Plan

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