The Department of Information and Communications and Technology (DICT) warned the public about unverified tower companies that are claiming to be part of the third telco tower provider in the Philippines, as push for easing telecom regulation intensifies.
The DICT reported the matter on Aug. 14, as the Senate is set to resume its hearings and deliberations for Senate Bill 2699, or the “Konektadong Pinoy” bill, which aims to “modernize” the country’s digital infrastructure, which stakeholders warned was a dangerous move as it would relax the country’s restrictions on digital infrastructure that is critical to the nation’s security.
“The [DICT] has received information that several unverified independent tower companies [ITCs] are requesting information and/or proposing to purchase properties as sites for cellular towers, introducing themselves as the 3rd Telecommunity Tower provider in the Philippines,” the department said on a Facebook post.
“The DICT informs the public that said companies are in no way connected to this office nor said actions are sanctioned by the Philippine government. The general public is advised to exercise extreme caution and due diligence when handing sensitive information to unverified and unauthorized ITC entities,” it said.
SB 2699, if passed, will eliminate the requirement for a legislative franchise for the use of the country’s radio frequency spectrum and weaken the regulatory oversight of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
Think tank organization Stratbase warned that foreign entities might use the opportunity of relaxed restrictions on digital infrastructure to enter and attack the Philippines’ digital infrastructure amid the rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.
It said the government should focus on improving the security and robustness of digital infrastructure and restrict foreign ownership in sensitive areas, particularly national security.
One of the main proponents of the Konektadong Pinoy bill is Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, who is rallying support from different government agencies and business organizations to fast-track the passage of SB 2699.
Cayetano points to the modernization of “outdated laws” to help improve the quality and scope of digital infrastructure in the Philippines.
