The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is currently hosting a summit on “Implementing ICT-Based Solutions to Mitigate Traffic Congestion Nationwide”. Also tackled are the challenges of the broadband industry in the country.

Mr. Gil B. Genio, Globe Telecom’s Chief Technology and Information Officer and Chief Strategy Officer, presented the current constraints of slow internet (mobile) in the Philippines as well as the proposed solutions.

Here are the current constraints of mobile internet as shown in the presentation:

– Not enough cell sites to support mobile data traffic and high-speed internet

– Globe current backlog of 3,000 sites due to permitting issues

– Permits for sites take 8 months

– “Tower fees” for sites range from Php5,000 – Php200,000 per tower depending on LGU

– No standard fees breed corruption

– Despite difficulty in putting up cell sites, HOAs can easily have the sites removed

– Alleged health risks are never substantiated

– Right of way issues for fiber (underground, pole attachments)

– DPWH operations cut fiber cables contributing to service disruptions

Below are the proposed solutions:

– Less bureaucracy for sites and towers

– Less bureaucracy for underground facilities

– Faster approvals for pole attachments

– Government to prioritize and enable the sector to do infrastructure builds

– Close collaboration with DPWH to reduce fiber cuts

– Integrate ICT connectivity in urban planning

Mr. Genio also mentioned in his presentation that the Philippines has relatively few towers compared to other Asian countries. It also takes 8 months and 25+ permits to build 1 cell site:

1. Right of Way – 8 permits | 1 – 2 months

2. Social Acceptability (Barangay, HOA, residents conformity) – 5 permits | 1 – 2 months

3. Various LGU Permits (Zoning, mayor’s permit, etc) – 5 permits | 2 months

4. National Permits (DENR, LLDA, CAB, DOH, etc) – 8 permits | 1 – 2 months

5. Structural permits – 3 permits | 3 – 5 months

6. Construction starts

“Despite our willingness to spend, the fundamental issues of Permit, Right of Way, and Site Acquisition still prevent us from building the much-needed cell towers we need today.”