NGCP readies tie-up with government for national broadband plan

Following plans of a partnership with the government, the National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) would be opening its massive power highway to accelerate the country’s internet on par with first world countries.

In a statement, NGCP president and chief executive Henry Sy Jr. confirmed reports from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) that a partnership was in the offing, a plan that would allow the government to tap the fiber optic component of the transmission network to revive a national broadband project.

“NGCP is pleased to be chosen by the government, through the DICT, to be its partner in the national broadband network (NBN) project,” Sy said.

President Duterte in March said it was time to revisit the promising project, which was mothballed during the Arroyo administration due to allegations of corruption.

The government had said using the already existing network would allow it to deliver high speed internet to unserved and underserved areas without being encumbered by high capital outlays.

Sy said NGCP’s fiber optic cables covering 6,154 kilometers would form part of the broadband project.

NGCP, which manages the country’s power transmission backbone, said the government would still need to provide last-mile connections to serve end-users.

Sy said the firm’s primary operations would not be compromised by the partnership.

“Since it took over power transmission services and in line with its given mandate, NGCP has made significant upgrades to aging, outdated telecommunication facilities inherited from the [National Transmission Corp.] to ensure reliable power transmission services through efficient communication within NGCP and with its customers,” Sy said.

The transmission assets are owned by state-led Transco, which turned over management and operations to NGCP in 2009 under a 25-year concession agreement.

“We are fully supporting this program and its expedited implementation. We are aware that a well-connected nation, such as South Korea and Sweden, enables a fast-paced exchange of knowledge and information needed to further propel our country’s growth,” Sy said. —MA. CASELDA D. CRUZ