The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) is planning to remove the spectrum users fee (SUF) for telecom companies deploying free wifi services in public places.
Under a draft memorandum circular, the NTC acknowledged a need to further reduce regulatory fees, ensure better competition and a level playing field to expand access to fast and affordable internet services.
“There is a need to further encourage the entry of more telecommunications and internet service providers in underserved and unserved areas,” the regulator said.
NTC Memorandum Circular 002-09-2021 clarifies the SUF rates applicable to radio frequency (RF) bands 2400 MHz to 2483.5 MHz, 5050 MHz – 5350MHz and 5470 MHz to 5850MHz making the provision for broadband internet access services more affordable to Filipinos, particularly in unserved and underserved areas
The agency said the SUF rate should be zero for each indoor and outdoor base station for telcos offering free internet access service in public places in 4th, 5th, and 6th class municipalities as published by the Philippine Statistics Authority.
The SUF rate is also zero in public places as national and local government offices, public basic education institutions, state universities and colleges, technology institutions and public hospitals, health centers, rural health centers, public parks, plaza, libraries and barangay reading centers, public airports and seaports, public transport terminals, among others.
The regulator said no SUF should be imposed on local government units (LGUs) intending to set up outdoor radio base stations within their respective areas of jurisdiction in order to provide free public internet access service.
“Persons and entities intending to set up outdoor radio base stations for private use within 4th, 5th, and 6th class municipalities as published by the Philippine Statistics Authority Such networks shall not be used for commercial purposes,” it added.
The NTC said that the SUF rate for other base stations not covered under this circular and fixed radio stations should be P750.
“Persons and entities intending to use Wifi frequencies and equipment shall strictly comply with registration and licensing procedures under existing rules and regulations,” the agency said.
“Outdoor radio base stations or fixed radio stations found interfering with indoor equipment and devices shall implement measures to avoid interference such as reduction in the transmitting power. If after instituting such measures the interference persists, the subject outdoor radio base station or fixed radio station shall immediately cease operation,” it added.
