Telco Companies Want Easier Permit Policies for Towers

Telecommunication companies are looking for permanent policies that cover the buildup of towers that would cost an estimated ₱12 billion per year.

In the Bayanihan to Recover as One Act provision is about to expire on telcos, companies are appealing to the government to make this permanent so less money would be used in building needed infrastructures.

Comworks Infratech Corp. CEO Alexander Kiel stated that expenses amounting to almost ₱6 million or $100,000 would be needed to build one standard tower that suppliers would utilize to connect customers to the internet.

EdgePoint Infrastructure has mentioned how the Philippines would require additional 2,000 towers annually to cater to the increasing demand for connectivity. With the current rate, the telco companies would have to spend an estimated ₱12 billion per year to reach the requirements.

With the high costs, Kiel has requested the government to ease permitting process in putting up telco towers, in light of the significance of connectivity nowadays. According to Kiel, the raising of requirements for constructing towers would lessen bottlenecks that discourage firms from expanding.

“The two bottlenecks are the permitting system and the power connections [and] any easement that we can get to improve the infrastructure in the country is desired,”  mentioned Kiel.

“If you talk about the standard tower, like a 40 meter, just for the infrastructure side, maybe that will cost you $100,000 already,”

Aside from the construction of the towers, the operators will also shell out money on maintenance, operations, outsourcing power supplies, and purchasing additional instruments,

Source: Philstar