Globe Telecom wants the government to implement policy reform removing barriers to connectivity in the Philippines.
This develops as the Philippines continues to rate below the global average in terms of information and communication technology (ICT) development, lagging behind its neighbors in Southeast Asia.
The 2024 edition of the index released by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), a specialized agency of the United Nations, scored the Philippines 74.4, an improvement by 14 percent from prior year. But the score remained below the global average of 74.8 and way behind Southeast Asian neighbors such as Singapore, which scored 97.8, Malaysia with 95.0, and Thailand at 91.0.
The country’s ICT score placed it among the lowest in the region, better only than Cambodia (72.6), Laos (65.3), Myanmar (63.8), and Timor-Leste (39.2).
“We are optimistic that we can score even higher in the global ICT Development Index. This should serve as an impetus for all stakeholders, including industry players and the government, to work more closely to address persistent gaps in our connectivity infrastructure,” Ernest Cu, Globe president and chief executive, said.
“The private sector has poured several billions in resources for ICT development. We cannot do it alone. There are barriers that can only be addressed through strong collaboration among the industry, government, and other stakeholders,” he added.
Cu said the Philippines needs more substantial investments in digital infrastructure. The private sector has invested a combined P640 billion over three years from 2021 to 2023 to upgrade the quality of the country’s connectivity infrastructure.
Globe alone has invested P265 billion in capital expenditure and P236 billion in operational expenses the past three years to enhance its network capabilities.
In contrast, the Department of Information and Communications Technology invested only P7.6 billion for internet infrastructure from 2018 to 2024.
The Private Sector Advisory Council, a Malacañang-initiated body that brings together industry players, has called on the government to allocate at least P240 billion to improve the internet infrastructure and work with the private sector to build 35,000 new cell sites across the country.
The Connectivity Plan Task Force (CPTF), led by Cu under the PSAC, is also working with the DICT for the rollout of connectivity infrastructure in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs). Globe’s network reaches over 500 GIDAs.
Globe also reiterated its call for policy reforms to allow connectivity to flourish.
These include the provision of space for telco infrastructure in housing developments and the removal of lease fees for telco infrastructure in buildings and developments through amendments to the outdated National Building Code (1977). Bills seeking this reform are still pending in Congress.
“Telcos should not be charged for installing infrastructure inside buildings and developments that will provide connectivity, which is now a basic necessity like power and water. It is a life enabler, supporting commerce, people’s livelihood, education and leisure needs,” said Cu.
Globe also hopes for the full implementation of Executive Order 32, issued in 2023 to streamline the permitting process for telecom infrastructure. Globe notes how certain local government units still find ways to circumvent the order, making the approval of permits difficult and slow for telcos.
