Dennis Anthony Uy, chairman of the country’s fastest-growing telco — Converge ICT Solutions — has expressed support for the Konektadong Pinoy bill, which is expected to lapse into law unless vetoed by the President. At the same time, Uy has called for a strong regulatory framework under the law’s Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) to protect consumers.
Uy made his position clear at the launch Monday, August 18, of the 51st Philippine Business Conference & Expo on October 20-21 this year at SMX Convention Center Manila. Uy serves as chairman of this year PBC, the country’s largest annual business gathering with the theme “The Future is Now: Unleash the Power of Digital Transformation”.
“I personally support the bill because I still believe, the more players … the better for consumers,” he said, citing an environment where there is no need to secure a legislative franchise to operate a telco.
By removing the legislative franchise requirement, the bill aims to encourage more companies to enter the internet service market, fostering competition and potentially lowering costs for consumers.
Uy also expressed enthusiasm about optimizing the use of radio frequency spectrum and improving access to telecom facilities and infrastructure. He said that as digitalization becomes the trend, the government should begin reclaiming unutilized frequencies for reallocation so they can be optimized as technologies evolve.
Uy noted that instead of each telco investing billions of pesos for their separate undersea cable systems, they can share existing infrastructure and encourage investment in new technologies — including satellite-based solutions — to expand internet access, particularly in underserved areas. This, he said, would enable a faster return on their investment.
At the same time, Uy equally emphasized the need for a strong regulatory framework under the law’s IRR to protect consumers.
To protect consumers, Uy highlighted the importance of standardization and requiring telcos to deliver on their commitments. Other consumer protection aspects include cybersecurity and safeguards against financial scams, sale of fake items, among others.
“Make sure there is enough regulatory function, all operators comply with the regulation and rules of government. Sometimes, they commit, but they don’t deliver,” he said.
For this reason, Uy stressed the importance of putting robust regulations in place and encouraging the private sector to work closely with the government to support a strong IRR that protects every angle.
Secretary Henry Rhoel R. Aguda of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) expressed appreciation to Uy for his support of Konektadong Pinoy.
Aguda explained that the bill, which is now at Malacañang for the President’s approval otherwise it will just lapse into law by August 24, is not intended to be against the telcos.
“We don’t want to lose the telcos, and this is not a legislation against the telcos; this is more for the consumers,” he said.
The bill also aligns with the President’s directive to provide universal connectivity across the country. It includes provisions for consumer rights, the foremost being the right to be connected.
Aside from connectivity, Aguda said consumers have the right to affordable internet.
The DICT is currently working with the International Telecoms Union on a study regarding internet affordability, which is expected to be completed before end this year.
The third consumer right, he noted, is the right to receive a timely response from telcos when complaints arise.
Aguda acknowledged the high cost of implementing internet connectivity in an archipelago of more than 7,600 islands. “That’s why we’re working on lowering the cost of service,” he said.
At the same event, Secretary Aguda and Converge’s Uy also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Strengthening Measures Against Online Scams.
