IT will be up to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to conduct the technical assessment if major telecommunication companies have improved their services before the end of the year as ordered by President Duterte.
In an online press briefing on Tuesday, Presidential spokesman Harry Roque said the NTC, as the regulatory body for telecommunication services and television broadcast, must set up the technical criteria, which should be complied with by Smart Communications and Globe Telecom Inc., the two leader who were called out by name at Duterte’s fifth State of the Nation Address (Sona) on Monday.
Some critics noted that the very same systemic problems hindering Smart and Globe are also now hounding the third player, Dito Telecommunity, but the latter was not named in the speech.
“There are so many bases for that [telcos’ performance] and the NTC knows all of this. This includes dropped calls and the clarity of the calls. There are measurements for this,” Roque said.
He said the President may also have his own assessment on the matter depending on his personal experience in using the services of both telecommunication firms.
The Palace official said Smart and Globe are free to meet with the NTC and Duterte to inquire about the criteria in determining the efficiency of their services and raise their other concerns.
However, he noted, with or without such meetings, both companies are still expected to provide better services to their customers by December.
During his fifth State of the Nation Address on Monday, Duterte threatened to shut down Smart and Globe and for the government to take over the telecommunication industry, if both companies fail to provide the kind of service, which he said their clients deserve.
Duterte said he is eyeing to leave an improved telecommunication service as one of his administration’s legacies once he ends his term in the next two years.
This threat of a takeover sparked criticism in some quarters, as it could drive away investors. The nongovernment InfraWatch also noted that by failing to fully redress the problems of red tape hounding the players, government is setting them up for failure and takeover.
Poe’s take
Meanwhile, the chief of the Senate Committee on Public Services conveyed Tuesday mounting public frustration over poor Internet services as well as the “woeful condition” of public jeepney drivers amid the Covid-19 lockdown.
Sen. Grace Poe pointed out that “frustration is growing by the day for fast, affordable and reliable Internet service, which has become a necessity as people rely more on digital technologies amid the
pandemic.”
In a statement, Poe added: “We know that improving Internet service and coverage will happen not only by obligating the telcos but government regulators as well to remove the roadblocks to building the necessary communication infrastructure.”
She noted that pertinent national agencies and local government units should step up so that the approval of at least 25 regulatory permits for the construction of cell towers will not take six months.
“We also reiterate our call for the passage of the E-Government Act to make government services accessible online,” says Poe, adding this will establish real-time service and streamline business registration with government agencies, while ensuring transparency of dealings.
“To fully implement this when passed, internet connection is crucial,” the senator stressed, noting that both the government and telcos should work double time to give our millions of Filipinos better and cheaper connectivity by the end of the year. We expect them to act with urgency and sense of duty for the sake of our people.”
With Butch Fernandez
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