3.4 Philippines Telecommunications Telecommunications Regulations Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems Internet Service Providers (ISPs) Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) The Philippines has an advanced mobile market when compared to other similar countries. The Philippine Long-Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) and Globe Telecom are the two major telecommunication carriers in the country. The current Philippine cellular infrastructure is Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). 4G service was made available in 2010, access to 4G services are above 70% for both all over the country with more than 80% in the main town. SMART (PLDT) and Globe launched long-term evolution (LTE) networks in 2012.PLDT has an existing digital fibre optic, and a digital microwave radio system connecting the entire country. Globe Telecom has fibre optic cables and was the first to offer Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax). The bulk of the fixed services are in urban areas. In contrast, the fixed line market in the Philippines remains underdeveloped and fixed line penetration continues to show stagnant growth. A major reason for this is due to the dominance of the mobile segment and the rapid expansion of the mobile broadband segment. PLDT has continued to be the Philippines’ dominant fixed- line provider. However, in recent years, Globe Telecom has been pushing hard to overhaul the incumbent and now is the leading mobile provider in term of overall subscribers. It’s very easy buying a mobile number in the Philippines, you can choose between prepaid and post-pay contracts. The main mobile service providers in the country are Smart and Globe and you can get information on rates, contract types, fees and offers by visiting operator’s websites. You need unlocked mobile phones to use it in the Philippines. Prepaid sim cards are very cheap and available all across the country as well as prepaid “loads” that you can find at every street corner - Data plans or combo Data + free calls + free texts etc. are also available. These Sim cards are already 4G-enabled. Post-paid with free calls and free texts for members of the same “fleet” are also available, billed at the end of the month as usual. To apply for a mobile post-paid account in the Philippines you can fill the application form in mobile phone centres and you will have to provide followings d ocuments: Proof of identification (valid internationally-issued passport or unexpired Alien Certificate of Registration) Proof of address (electric or other bill, bank statement, lease of contract, or notarized lessor’s certificate) Proof of financial capacity (bank account documents, certificate of employment, latest income tax return or credit card statement of account) SMART is also a Thuraya provider (from phone to reload cards). Telephone Services Is there an existing landline telephone network? Yes Does it allow international calls? Yes Number and Length of Downtime Periods (on average) 4 times a year, 2 days length of downtime Mobile Phone Providers Globe Telecom Globe Telecom TM (Touch Mobile) brand of Globe ABS-CBN Mobile – Use Globe Network through network-sharing agreement. PLDT SMART TNT – Low cost Sun Cellular – Brand of PLDT Approximate Percentage of National Coverage 70% to 80% Telecommunications Regulations The National Telecommunications Commission(NTC) is an attached agency of the Department of Information and Communications Technologyresponsible for the supervision, adjudication and control over all telecommunications services throughout the country. All the necessary forms for registration or permits are available on line on the website of the NTC at the following address: http://ncr.ntc.gov.ph/ Attachment - Telecommunications Licensing Procedures Regulations on Usage and Import Regulations in Place? Regulating Authority Satellite Yes NTC HF Radio Yes NTC Page 1 UHF/VHF/HF Radio: Handheld, Base and Mobile Yes NTC UHF/VHF Repeaters Yes NTC GPS No n/a VSAT Yes NTC Individual Network Operator Licenses Required Yes, can acquire it from NTC. Frequency Licenses Required Yes Radio Materials Registration Fees (NTC) Price / UNIT As Of SIMPLEX Portable 1000 PhP March 2019 Mobile 1300 PhP March 2019 Base 2100 PhP March 2019 DUPLEX Portable 1100 PhP March 2019 Mobile 1700 PhP March 2019 Base 3200 PhP March 2019 REPEATER 3000 PhP March 2019 Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems There is an existing humanitarian telecoms system in place in some areas of operation and is currently managed by UNDSS. UNDSS WFP VHF Frequencies YES HF Frequencies YES Locations of Repeaters Manila, Davao, Cotabato, North Upi VSAT YES YES Internet Service Providers (ISPs) There are currently two major service providers, the PLDT and Globe Telecom. There are also other ISPs that are available namely: Sky Broadband, Converge ICT, Eastern Communications, RISE, Radius and InfiniVan.All ISPs offers DSL and Fiber Internet connections. If you are out of coverage with these providers, Satellite Internet Service provider are also available such as, WIT Phillippines Inc., Kontack One, AZ Communication Networks and IP Star. Internet Service Providers Are there ISPs available? Yes If yes, are they privately or government owned? Privately Dial-up only? No Approximate Rates (local currency and USD - $) Dial-up n/a Broadband Depends on subscription (Fiber, DSL or Wifi / 5Mbps to 250Mbps) 1299 PhP up to 6299 PhP – 20 USD up to 100 USD Max Leasable ‘Dedicated’ Bandwidth 250Mbps (Fiber) Page 2 Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) Currently, there are 2 Mobile Network Operators in the Philippines, Globe and PLDT, note that PLDT has 3 mobile brands Smart Communications, Sun Cellular, and TalkNText (TNT). Both MNOs offer Merchant Payment, Money transfer and Payment services. For information on MNOs please visit the GSM Association website. Comp Number of Agent Out Network Strengt Contracted for Humanitarian or Government Ca Services Offered (i.e. Merchant Payment, Bulk Disbursem any lets by Area h by Area sh Transfer Programmes? ent, Receive & Make Payment) GLO 8-10 per Municipality Depends on the L Yes Merchant Payment, Money Transfer, Receive & Make BE ocation Payment SMA 8-10 per Municipality Depends on the L Yes Merchant Payment, Money Transfer, Receive & Make RT ocation Payment Page 3.