Duterte extends PhilComSat franchise for 25 years
Credit to Author: CATHERINE S. VALENTE, TMT| Date: Fri, 15 Mar 2019 03:56:31 +0000
PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte signed a law extending the telecommunication franchise of the Philippine Communications Satellite Corp. (PhilComSat) for another 25 years.
The President signed Republic Act (RA) 11226, a copy of which was released to the media on Friday.
The franchise allows PhilComSat to operate “telecommunications satellite systems, satellite terminal stations, lines, cables or systems, and associated equipment and facilities for international and domestic communications.”
PhilComSat, currently owned by the Philippine Overseas Telecommunications Corp., was initially granted a 25-year telecommunications franchise in 1966 and was later extended for another 25 years in 1995.
Under the law, the PhilComSat was directed to secure from the National Telecommunications Commission a certificate of public convenience and necessity as well as the necessary permits and licenses for operation of its telecommunications systems or facilities.
PhilComSat is also mandated to create employment opportunities and allow on-the-job trainings, especially for residents in areas where any of its offices are located.
The company should also provide mobile number portability (MNP) and its implementing mechanism, and should interconnect, directly or indirectly, with the infrastructure, facilities, systems or equipment of other telecommunications franchise grantees.
The law prohibits PhilComSat from installing network features, functions or capabilities that will impede the implementation of a nationwide MNP system as mandated by RA 11202 or Mobile Number Portability Act.
MNP allows mobile phone subscribers to retain their numbers even if they switch from one network to another or subscription plans.
Also on March 13, the President signed RA 11238, which extends the franchise of University of Mindanao Broadcasting Network (UMBN) for another 25 years.
UMBN is a commercial broadcasting company in Mindanao founded in 1949 by University of Mindanao in Davao City.
It runs AM and FM stations in the region while its affiliate, Ditan Communications operates FM stations in the Visayas.
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