‘Lifting telco legislative check to expose Philippines to cyber attacks’

MANILA, Philippines — The telecommunications sector yesterday said the Philippines may suffer from cyber attacks on a national scale if the government lifts the congressional hurdle for new connectivity players.

The Philippine Chamber of Telecommunication Operators (PCTO) yesterday pushed to retain the requirement for data transmission industry participants (DTIPs) to secure legislative approval prior to operating in the country.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) also said a telco’s entry has to be kept to a standard to promote consumer welfare and protect national security.

PCTO vice president Roy Ibay said Senate Bill (SB) 2699, or the Konektadong Pinoy Act, only mandates new DTIPs to get cybersecurity certification in three years. Ibay cautioned that DTIPs can be exposed to hacking during their initial years, and this could imperil the Philippines on the security front.

Further, the PCTO said SB 2699 may allow state-sponsored telcos to enter the country, and all they have to do is register with the NTC. Ibay said this could mean foreign companies having  a hand in critical infrastructure for national security.

NTC commissioner Ella Blanca Lopez also said data transmission is the next investment hotspot given the booming demand for digital services, and Konektadong Pinoy may reduce the entry of new DTIPs to simply administrative work.

Given this, Lopez said as much as Konektadong Pinoy pushes for open access, the measure may be difficult to enforce as worded right now.

Konektadong Pinoy removes the requirement for a legislative franchise for international gateway facilities, cable landing stations and satellite service providers.

Small-scale connectivity providers believe the easier process to become a DTIP would bridge the digital gap, especially in rural areas. The Philippine Cable and Telecommunications Association (PCTA) wants the Konektadong Pinoy approved to improve competition in the telco industry.

PCTA president Jon Arayata said the new DTIPs can serve the remaining two in three Filipinos who lack access to broadband connectivity. Based on data from the World Bank, only 33 percent of Filipinos are connected to broadband as of 2022.

The PCTO consists of the largest telcos in the Philippines, such as PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc., while PCTA is made up of cable and internet service providers in smaller towns.

Konektadong Pinoy was passed by the Senate on third and final reading in February, and it is set to undergo bicameral reconciliation when Congress resumes session after the May elections.