DICT eyeing internet services by power co-ops
ELECTRIC cooperatives (ECs) can serve as internet providers in their respective franchise areas, the chief of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said.
The department is in discussions with the National Electrification Administration (NEA) to make 121 power co-ops internet service providers (ISPs), DICT officer-in-charge Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr. told reporters.
“They can become internet service providers so hindi lang kuryente ang kanilang puwedeng ibenta kundi (they will not only sell electricity but also) internet connectivity,” Rio said at the recent National Transmission Corp. (TransCo) anniversary celebration.
TransCo President Melvin Matibag said the revenues to be generated from internet services could lead to lower power rates, adding that profits could also be realized from advertising.
The DICT, National Grid Corp. of the Philippines (NGCP) and TransCo last month signed an agreement to tap unused fiber optic assets to accelerate the implementation of the government’s National Broadband Plan.
The DICT was given the right to utilize and/or access fiber optic cores, vacant lots, tower spaces and related facilities of NGCP, the current concessionaire of the TransCo.-owned grid.
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