The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) of the Philippines has begun drafting the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) for the newly enacted *Konektadong Pinoy Act* (KPA). The legislation aims to lower barriers to entry for internet service providers and data transmission participants, promoting rural connectivity.
Deregulating Data Transmission & Spectrum Access
The KPA shifts the regulatory framework from traditional utility franchising to a simplified registration system for Data Transmission Industry Participants (DTIPs). Under the draft rules, the NTC will offer open, non-discriminatory access to physical network backbones. Additionally, the NTC is conducting public hearings on allocating new frequency spectrums, including high-frequency bands like 77–81 GHz for short-range vehicle radars and industrial sensors.
Key Draft Provisions:
- Unified Registration: Replaces legislative franchises with a simplified registrar system at the NTC, accelerating ISP launch times.
- Infrastructure Sharing: Mandates co-location and utility pole sharing among major telecommunications operators and new DTIPs.
- Next-Gen Frequencies: Opens up new high-frequency bands for specialized commercial industrial use, subject to standard NTC Type Approval.
HertzWeg Insight:
"The Konektadong Pinoy Act is a major deregulation step for the Philippine internet sector. However, deregulation of internet service does not mean deregulation of RF hardware. Any terminal hardware, cellular gateway, or smart sensor deployed by new ISPs must still secure mandatory NTC type approvals and customs release permits to operate legally."
HertzWeg helps networking companies enter the Philippine market. We manage documentation and secure approvals under the Philippines NTC Type Approval process.