The program has been plagued by delays even if the government has appropriated almost P8 billion since the project's inception in 2015. As of June 2019, only 2,677 sites have been made operational, out of the cumulative target of 34,236 sites by end of the year.
Long-time observers of the local ICT industry said they are hoping Honasan would bring in more experienced and competent underlings who can help him tackle the issues that the ICT sector is currently facing.
Newly accredited common tower provider Alt Global Solutions is targeting to build some 2,000 cell sites across the country within four years after striking a deal with local broadband provider Now Telecom.
An online system that would expedite the application process for business registration, in compliance with the Ease of Doing Business Act, is being developed, an official of the DICT said.
In January, the DICT said it wanted to reduce to seven days the process of issuance of permits for telcos in compliance with Republic Act 11032 or the Ease of Doing Business Act. Currently, it takes eight months to secure at least 25 necessary permits and documents on building towers.
The DICT said the local telcos were given six months to comply from the effectivity of the NTC's implementing rules and regulations of the Mobile Number Portability Act on July 2.
Globe president and CEO Ernest Cu said the company is taking a leap towards improving ICT infrastructure in the Philippines by being the first mobile operator to support the government's common tower initiative.
