FOLLOWING the calls for a better internet signal in preparation for the Department of Education's (DepEd) online distance learning, the National Telecommunications Commission-Davao Region (NTC-Davao) has called all telecommunication companies to improve their services, especially in far-flung areas.
NTC-Davao Director Nelson Cañete told Sunstar Davao in a phone interview that they have been constantly coordinating with different telcos in the region to address the growing demand for a stable and faster internet signal.
On June 18, a viral photo of teachers of New Leyte Elementary School and New Leyte National High School in Maco circulated online as they braved the rainy weather and traveled to a higher location to get a better internet connection and attend the web seminar of the DepEd.
This had caught the attention of Davao de Oro Governor Jayvee Tyron Uy who commended the teachers for their determination in joining the webinar and learn new knowledge to adapt to the new normal.
However, Uy also called the attention of NTC-Davao to request telcos to improve their signal strength in the province to include the far-flung areas, as new modalities in learning including online learning will be implemented in the province.
Cañete admitted that the governor had been asking the agency to improve their signal in the province since 2017.
While he said that improvements had been seen throughout the years, there is a growing demand for internet connectivity brought by the imposed community quarantine in the entire region.
"Kapila na namo ginapatawag ang mga telco kung mag meeting mi. Ginapahinumduman namo sila nga apil baya sa [ilang] franchise [mandate] nga tagaan og saktong signal ang tanang bahin sa Pilipinas (we have been constantly reminding telcos (telecommunication companies) during our meetings on their duty in ensuring that all parts of the country should have a stable telecommunication signal. It is part of their franchise mandate)," Cañete said.
Although he admitted that with the abrupt shift to online education, it would be challenging to stabilize and expand telecommunication signals especially in far-flung areas.
But he said telcos had pledged to improve their services since they had been constantly expanding and rehabilitating their cell towers.
Cañete, however, said one factor in the delays in the construction of towers in far-flung areas is the local government unit's (LGUs) excessive and delayed approval of the requirements.
"Naa uban application for tower construction, niabot nag two years, wala gihapon maaprove. Dili sila katukod bisan gustuhon nila tungod wala pa kini naaprubahan sa LGU. Daghan requirements (there are some delays in the approval of the tower construction. There is one instance that an application, for two years now, is still waiting for its approval. As much as they wanted to start constructing, but without the approval, they can't. Also, they ask for many requirements)," he said, adding NTC has no control in it.
Another issue, the NTC official, cited are the road right of way acquisition, and the property lot issue, which causes the delay of the construction of cell towers.
Also, other telecommunication companies are hesitant to put up cell towers in less populated areas. But Cañete had told them that it is not a valid reason.
One of the measures, he said, that NTC and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) are proposing is the "tower-sharing," wherein two telecommunication companies can share their signal in one tower.
Cañete said that this would help improve connectivity in a certain area. He added this would also save time and money for telcos who wish to penetrate services in one area.
"Kay kung hulaton pa nato ang approval sa pagtukod sa tower, samot og kadugay. But if naa na'y existing nga tower, pwede nalang i-share kana nga facility. Naa ra na sa ila kung i-up for lease contract nila or agreement (if they would be waiting for approval in the construction of the tower, it would be time-consuming. But if there is already an existing tower, they can just share the facility. It is up with the tower owner if they would put it up for lease)," he said.
Meanwhile, Cañete said they will be waiting for DepEd's recommended internet speed connection for the online classes, which they would relay to the telecommunication companies.
But he already said that they cannot expect all areas to have a stable internet connection in time with the resumption of classes this August.
The 19th Davao City Council had previously proposed for an amendment of a provision of an ordinance to attract more telecommunication firms to establish cell sites in underserved areas. (With reports from PIA)
