PH agency eyes assistance of US, Japan in national broadband feasibility plan

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is considering foreign assistance to help with the feasibility study for the Philippines’ first national broadband network.

Information and Communications Technology Undersecretary Denis Villorente said last week they might tap sponsors from the US government and Japan to help with the study, which is targeted for completion this year.

He said this could help hasten the process, given the DICT’s intention to complete its broadband network before President Duterte’s term ends in 2022.

The objective is to provide telco services, such as broadband internet, to underserved and unserved areas around the Philippines. It is also a massive undertaking, with the DICT estimating that the project would cost P77.9 billion if “starting from scratch.”

DICT Secretary Rodolfo Salalima earlier said the fastest way to get the project done was to tap the incumbent telcos and also use existing infrastructure, or what he called infostructure.

In line with this, he said the national broadband network could use the facilities of PLDT and Globe. In some last-mile connections, both telcos can also lease infrastructure that the DICT will lay down to reach far-flung areas.

Another key part of bringing down the implementation time and cost is tapping the National Grid Corporation of the Philippines (NGCP). The NGCP private telecom network operates and maintains a telecom backbone supporting the operation of the electricity grid in the entire archipelago. It also consists of so-called optical passive ground wire along the high-voltage transmission lines and microwave radio hops that connect Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

The government’s objective is to improve broadband connectivity in the Philippines, which has been tagged as a global laggard in terms of quality apart from its high cost.

The DICT’s broadband plan will also require a slew of regulatory reforms, including a review of the Public Service Act and the Public Telecommunications Policy Act.

According to the DICT, one of the concepts being explored is the easing of constitutional limits on foreign ownership and the current need to secure a legislative franchise before establishing a telco network.