Philippines, Thailand yet to tap700 MHz mobile frequency

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines is one of two countries that have yet to utilize the 700 megahertz (MHz) frequency, a key resource in providing faster Internet services, according to the GSM Association (GSMA).

According to data gathered by GSMA, which groups mobile operators worldwide, the Philippines and Thailand are the two remaining countries in the Asia Pacific with issues preventing their allocation of the 700 MHz band to mobile broadband technologies.

Such is contrary to the move by most countries to adopt the Asia Pacific technical harmonization or APT700 band plan, considered the most efficient arrangement of the 700 MHz band for mobile communications services.

GSMA is pushing for the harmonization of frequencies as quickly as possible for countries to take advantage of significant socioeconomic benefits of allocating the 700 MHz band to mobile – including growth in gross domestic product, employment, entrepreneurship and tax revenues.

The use of the 700 MHz band is expected to enable mobile operators to reduce capital and network costs while accelerating the rollout of services at lower prices.

The United Nations agency for information and communication technologies ITU, is also pushing for the use of the 700 MHz band to bridge the digital divide.

In the Philippines, the National Telecommunications Commission has yet to announce plans for the reallocation of the 700 MHz spectrum to mobile operators.

The bulk of the spectrum is held by San Miguel Corp. through wi-Tribe Telecoms Inc.’s 80 Mhz and High Frequency Telecommunications Inc.’s 10 Mhz, while the 10 Mhz balance is assigned to New Century Telecommunications.

Telco service providers Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) and Globe Telecom Inc. have asked the NTC for an equitable distribution of the 700 MHz spectrum.

Globe general legal counsel Froilan Castelo said providing telecommunications companies access to the 700 MHz spectrum would immediately release its socioeconomic benefits in consumer pricing.

“Harmonizing the 700 MHz spectrum will allow the industry to provide broadband and data services at faster speeds and in a more cost-efficient manner.  This will ultimately redound to increased benefits for the consumers,” he said.

For his part, Ray Espinosa, PLDT regulatory affairs and policy head, said the 700 MHz spectrum is imbued with public interest because the scarce frequency has been reclassified for mobile telecommunication use from broadcast use.