NTC exceeds 2010 revenue goal with P3.6-billion collections

MANILA, Philippines -The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has exceeded its 2010 revenue target by half a billion pesos, ending the year with P3.6 billion in collections.

NTC said it has surpassed the 2010 revenue target of P3.1 billion set by the Department of Budget Management (DBM) and the Department of Finance (DOF).

According to the NTC, the increase in revenues was primarily a result of the agency’s concerted effort to strictly enforce stakeholders’ compliance in remitting fees. The NTC was able to achieve the feat without having to increase or levy new fees, it added.

Apart from NTC’s significant yearend income, the agency’s proactive ways in 2010 also generated some other milestones for the country, it noted.

The NTC proved instrumental in its collaboration with the Commission on Elections (Comelec), Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT) and Smartmatic in overseeing the technical details that would eventually lead to the overall success of the country’s first automated elections.

The NTC served as the conduit with the telecommunications companies whose networks were vital in the transmission of the election results to the National Government.

Prior to the elections, the NTC also addressed the growing concerns on the presence of radio frequency jamming devices. Memorandum Order 001-02-2010 was issued to ensure that this form of technology will not be used illegally, especially during election time. While responsible use of jamming devices also works to the benefit of those in the medical field (operating rooms) or the arts (theaters), its utilization still posed a threat to other parties if used irresponsibly, thus, the need to be mindful of its true intent of use, NTC officials said.

Another bold stride the NTC has taken this year was commencing the transition of the broadcast industry from analog to digital.

An overwhelming consensus and endorsement among the various industry stakeholders was submitted to the commission which issued Memorandum Circular 02-06-2010 on ‘Standard for Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) Broadcast Service’ adopting the ISDB-T platform.

The NTC has now been given the go-signal by the CICT to convene a technical working group for the purpose of drafting the implementing rules for DTV. The TWG will be composed of members from the broadcast industry and other stakeholders such as the government, suppliers and consumers.

The NTC estimates full migration from analog to digital TV technology within the next five to 10 years.

In view of promoting Filipino culture and arts, President Aquino issued a directive to strictly implement Executive Order 255 to which the NTC responded by issuing MO 003-08-2010 to further emphasize strict adherence to the EO.

EO 255, issued by former President Corazon Aquino, requires that all radio stations with musical format programs to broadcast a minimum of four original Pilipino music (OPM) every hour.

The NTC head office also issued a memorandum to all regional offices to continue monitoring implementation by all radio programs covered by the EO and instructed the regional offices to submit monthly reports on the stations’ compliance.