Latest news with #PAPTELCO
_2025_07_12_19_30_14.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
GMA Network
12-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
Tech groups throw support for Konektadong Pinoy Act
Technology industry groups are backing the Konektadong Pinoy Act, saying it can "help close the country's connectivity gap." In a joint statement Saturday, the Global AI Council Philippines, the Blockchain Council of the Philippines, the Cybersecurity Council of the Philippines, the Data Center Association of the Philippines, the Fintech Philippines Association, and Go Digital Philippines said they support the measure, which is now awaiting the signature of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. The tech industry groups said the bill would be a 'critical reform that will modernize the Philippines' digital infrastructure.' 'By replacing outdated, analog-era regulations with a forward-looking legal framework, the bill will promote competition, streamline the entry of new players, enable infrastructure sharing, and improve spectrum management," the groups said. "These changes will lower the cost of Internet services, accelerate network rollout, and expand access especially in underserved areas,' they added. The measure, however, has its fair share of critics, including the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO), composed of the country's leading telcos, and the Philippine Association of Private Telecommunications Companies (PAPTELCO). PCTO called for a review of the ratified version of measure, citing national security concerns and weakening of regulatory oversight among new entrants in the country's connectivity service sector. PAPTELCO, on the other hand, urged Marcos to veto the bill, also flagging national security issues, as new players would no longer be required to secure a legislative franchise. Dara security Under the measure, new data transmission players are no longer required to secure a legislative franchise or Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN). The tech industry groups, meanwhile, urged Congress 'to exclude any data localization or sovereignty provisions in the final version of the law. Requiring that data be stored or processed only within Philippine territory will drive up business costs, disrupt operations, and limit access to technologies such as cloud computing and Al.' 'This would hurt SMEs, deter investment, and weaken the competitiveness of the Philippine IT-BPM and digital sectors. Data security is not about where data is stored, it is about how it is protected,' they said. 'The Konektadong Pinoy Act has the potential to be a foundation for digital transformation. We look forward to its passage and to working with government to realize a more connected Philippines,' they added. Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda is also backing the passage into law of the Konektadong Pinoy Act, saying it would increase competition in the country's telecoms space and eventually lower cost of services for the benefit of the consuming public. —VAL, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
01-07-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
PCC backs Konektadong Pinoy Act
The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) is supporting the enactment into law of the Konektadong Pinoy Act, ratified by both chambers of Congress and is now awaiting President Ferdinand 'Bongbong' Marcos Jr.'s signature, as it will encourage further competition in the country's telecommunications space. 'The PCC believes that incorporating competition principles into the country's digital connectivity framework is essential to improving telecommunications services,' the antitrust-trust body said in a statement. The PCC said the Konektadong Pinoy law is a landmark reform that will help build a more inclusive, competitive, and consumer-centric digital economy, where innovation and accessibility are driven by market competition. The bill, however, is facing criticism from telecoms stakeholders including the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO), composed of the country's leading telcos, and the Philippine Association of Private Telecommunications Companies (PAPTELCO). The PCTO called for a review of the ratified version of the measure, citing national security concerns and weakening of regulatory oversight among new entrants in the country's connectivity service sector. PAPTELCO, on the other hand, urged Marcos to veto the bill also flagging national security issues as new players would no longer be required to secure a legislative franchise. Under the measure, new data transmission players are no longer required to secure a legislative franchise or Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN). PCC chairperson Michael Aguinaldo, in the bill's defense, said provisions of the Konektadong Pinoy Act such as streamlining the approval process for telecommunications providers, promoting open access, and reducing market entry barriers, 'are aligned with the PCC's mandate to foster fair and open markets.' 'By institutionalizing competition in the digital infrastructure sector, the bill can help lower costs, improve service quality, and expand access, especially in underserved areas,' Aguinaldo said. The PCC chief said the bill also reinforces the state's commitment to data inclusivity and consumer welfare by encouraging a more dynamic and responsive telecommunications market. Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda earlier defended the bill, noting that it would increase competition in the country's telecoms space and eventually lower cost of services for the benefit of the consuming public. — BAP, GMA Integrated News
GMA Network
26-06-2025
- Business
- GMA Network
DICT chief Aguda defends Konektadong Pinoy Act
There's a high chance of the Konektadong Pinoy Act becoming a law, DICT Henry Aguda told reporters on Thursday, June 26, 2025. Ted Cordero/GMA Integrated News Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Secretary Henry Aguda is backing the passage into law of the Konektadong Pinoy Act, which faces opposition from various telecommunications industry stakeholders, saying it would increase competition in the country's telecoms space and eventually lower cost of services for the benefit of the consuming public. 'We've already endorsed it, me and Secretary [Arsenio] Balisacan of DEPDev [Department of Economy, Planning, and Development], we're awaiting the schedule on when it will be taken to Malacañang,' Aguda told reporters at an informal briefing in Quezon City on Thursday. 'Mataas ang chance na matutuloy na 'yun [There's a high chance it will become a law],' the DICT chief added. However, he clarified that he does not want to preempt what President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr.'s decision would be. Critics of the Konektadong Pinoy Act include the Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO), composed of the country's leading telcos, and the Philippine Association of Private Telecommunications Companies (PAPTELCO). PCTO called for a review of the ratified version of measure, citing national security concerns and weakening of regulatory oversight among new entrants in the country's connectivity service sector. PAPTELCO, on the other hand, urged Marcos to veto the bill also flagging national security issues as new players would no longer be required to secure a legislative franchise. Under the measure, new data transmission players are no longer required to secure a legislative franchise or Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN). Aguda, in the bill's defense, said that 'there's no denying that Konektadong Pinoy will increase competition in the industry… and nobody is going to deny that [increased] competition will be good for the industry.' 'Konektadong Pinoy squarely addresses affordability because the more competition… the public will have more choices, which would bring down prices,' the DICT secretary said. The ICT chief said major telcos would even benefit from increased competition as they could divert revenues from end-users to wholesale as new entrants could tap into their existing internet infrastructure. 'Actually maganda nga 'tong Konektadong Pinoy sa major telcos kasi 'yung mga magtatayo para sa 'middle mile' makikigamit ng kanilang broadband service kasi hindi naman sila magtatayo ng transmission na malaki eh… So malilipat ang revenue nila from retail to maybe wholesale,' Aguda said. (Actually this bill will be good for the major telcos because those putting up the "middle mile" will need to use their broadband service, because they won't be putting up a big their revenue will be transferred from retail to maybe wholesale.) As to concerns on national security and other issues raised by critics of the bill, the DICT secretary said the ICT Department and its attached agency, the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), would address it in crafting the measures implementing rules and regulations (IRR) once the bill is signed into law. 'We just have to be very exacting on the specific concerns of the industry. What I was hearing were… one is national security… we hear them and we'll address that with the help of the telcos. Another concern was… spectrum refarming… the NTC will set the specific regulatory [oversight] on frequency allocation,' Aguda said. On PH's dip in Mobile Connectivity Index The DICT chief also emphasized that the Konektadong Pinoy Act, which he said would result in increased competition in the telecoms space, would help in improving the Philippines' ranking in the GSM Association Mobile Connectivity Index. The latest edition of the GSMA's index—which assesses countries' performance on key factors in adopting mobile internet such as infrastructure, affordability, consumer readiness, and content and services— saw the country's score drop by 0.52 to 67.69. Aguda said that 'while this marks a slight decline from the previous year, it serves as a timely reminder of the work that remains in achieving universal, reliable, and affordable digital access for all Filipinos.' 'We see this report not as a setback, but as a guide that reinforces our focus on closing the digital divide, in line with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr.'s directive to have an inclusive and digitally connected Philippines,' he said. The DICT reiterated that the agency is pushing for the passage of the Konektadong Pinoy Act, which he described as a "landmark legislation" that promotes open-access policies, infrastructure sharing among telecommunications providers, and streamlining of permitting processes for broadband rollout. 'By lowering operational barriers and fostering competition, the measure is expected to reduce internet costs by 2028, while accelerating the deployment of high-quality connectivity across urban and rural areas alike,' Aguda said. The ICT Department, he said, is also expanding the Free Wi-Fi for All Program, particularly in remote and underserved communities. — BM, GMA Integrated News
