Sen. Sherwin Gatchalian said the problem of slow Internet in the country is a shared responsibility among telcos, local government units, and government agencies.
For the longest time, Globe said the telco industry’s bid to expand and put up needed broadband infrastructures have been slowed down -- if not totally prevented -- by permitting requirements imposed by LGUs as well as the opposition by hostile homeowners associations.
Both Globe and Smart have complained that the long drawn permitting process across LGUs, homeowner associations, and national agencies has hampered the rollout of cellsites and laying down of fiber to homes.
The city government of Manila has announced that it will be providing public school students with free access to online learning platforms under Globe’s BatangMaynilaSurf Plans.
After years of not being given much attention, telehealth is now gaining ground in the Philippines as people become wary of visiting hospitals and clinics due to risks of contracting Covid-19.
The highly touted common tower policy of the government appears to be going nowhere as local operator Globe Telecom announced on Thursday, July 9, that it is putting up its own cell sites in different parts of the country this year.
Even as the DICT is eyeing to reduce the permits for common tower this year, Globe said it will build more cell sites of its own in different parts of the country in the next three months.
Globe Telecom said that it is supporting moves to extend the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act” as it can foster the approval of permits and clearances from LGUs) in as short as seven days.
