PLDT& Smart secure 50k permits (Sabong News)
Author
Emmie V. Abadilla
Date
MARCH 10 2022
PLDT Inc. and wireless unit Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) secured more than 50,000 fixed and wireless permits to build their telco infrastructure as of last month, the telcos announced March 10.
The government’s move to cut red tapes in the permitting process for telcos helped PLDT and Smart in their nationwide network buildout to connect Filipinos under the new normal.
As of end-December 2021, Smart has increased its total base stations nationwide to 75,400 to support its 3rd Generation, 4th Generation and Long Term Evolution (LTE) and 5th Generation customers from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi.
The telco’s network buildout covered by the fast-tracked permits includes around 7,200 5G base stations.
Smart’s mobile network is supported by PLDT’s fiber infrastructure, which was at 743,700 kilometers as of end-December 2021.
The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) cited PLDT and Smart for their “exemplary support and contribution” to its flagship program, the National Effort for the Harmonization of Efficiency Measures of Inter-related Agencies (NEHEMIA).
NEHEMIA aims to reduce the time, cost, requirements, and procedures of government transactions, especially in the telecommunications sector.
“We are proud to partner with government in realizing the goals of NEHEMIA and help improve the country’s digital infrastructure,” remarked Aileen D. Regio, first vice president and head of PLDT’s Regulatory and Strategic Affairs.
“We thank ARTA and other government agencies for espousing the interest of the telcos and paving the way for the ramped-up rollout of PLDT’s fiber infrastructure and Smart’s cell sites,” she added.
The ARTA, along with the National Telecommunications Commission and the Department of Information and Communications Technology worked together to streamline government permitting guidelines for telecommunications infrastructure.
