DICT eyes spectrum ‘refarming’

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) wants to pursue a potentially controversial radio frequency refarming scheme, warning this could have an impact on the spectrum held by PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom.

This was announced by DICT acting secretary Eliseo Rio Jr., who noted that they hoped to start work on the policy within 2018.

Spectrum refarming refers to the repurposing of frequency bands, even those that have already been assigned. Radio frequencies are used by telcos to provide a range of mobile services, from text messaging and calls to internet browsing.

Rio clarified that he could not move quickly on this initiative, citing his current lack of authority to hire consultants given his title as officer in charge.

“We have to get the approval of the OP [Office of the President] for this,” Rio said in a text message yesterday. “What is needed is just the authority, we have funds available for this.”

“We can get it sooner or later, depending on the urgency of our request,” he added.

Rio said the DICT wanted to formulate a spectrum refarming policy this year.

“So even the frequencies of Globe and [PLDT subsidiary] Smart may be affected,” he said, without detailing which frequency bands would be affected.

A refarming policy could turn complicated if it involved frequency bands that have been assigned and are currently being used to provide services, a lawyer working with the incumbent telcos noted.

Rio mentioned spectrum refarming anew when asked how the DICT would support interested telco players keen on entering the Philippines in the future.

These would be distinct from the set of unassigned 3G, 4G and potential 5G radio frequencies the DICT hopes to award to a new major telco player by May or June this year.

According to the DICT, PLDT held about 30.32 percent of all available radio frequencies while Globe held 24.9 percent.