ania, makitamton ti kapatpatangmo iti selponmo? no la ketdi a 3g-capable ‘tay selponmo (kas koma ‘tay nokia 6680). hmm. barbarengly.
First posted 08:24pm (Mla time) Aug 26, 2005
By Erwin Lemuel Oliva
INQ7.net
THE NATIONAL Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has released two new rules governing third generation (3G) mobile networks and broadband wireless networks, along with the rules governing voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
“We have signed the new rules on 3G and broadband wireless networks on August 23, 2005, and we’ve released on August 24, same day as the release of the VoIP rules,” NTC Deputy Commissioner Jorge Sarmiento said.
Copies of the new rules were posted on the NTC website on August 24, 2005.
Philippine mobile phone carriers declined to comment on the final 3G ruling.
Globe Telecom lawyer Froilan Castelo did not comment on the new 3G ruling, but indicated that the new rules are the same as the previous drafts released to the public.
“They are the same as the draft rules. So not much has changed. But we have no comment at this time,” he told INQ7.net.
Smart Communications was unavailable for comment.
Philippine carriers have opposed NTC’s move to release the 3G rules, saying the market was not ready for this technology.
The final rules have reiterated the frequencies to be allocated for 3G use. These frequencies are 825–845 Megahertz (Mhz), 870–890 MHz, 1880–1900MHz, 1920–1980MHz, 2110–2170MHz, and 2010–2025MHz.
The 825-845 and 870-890 Mhz frequency bands are currently assigned to existing mobile phone operators in the country.
NTC will adopt the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) standard frequencies for use in 3G. These frequencies are classified as international mobile telecommunications (IMT2000).
The 3G rules have also outlined the criteria for the selection of qualified applications to the 3G frequencies; the rules on how to determine qualified applicants; rules on spectrum fees and performance bonds; obligations of 3G assignees, and sanctions.
It was stressed that those with Congressional franchise will only be allowed to operate a 3G network in the Philippines, the rules said.
Interestingly, the rule on limiting the 3G licenses to five public telecommunications entities was deleted.
In an accompanying memorandum to the final draft, the NTC said that mobile phone operators who have not fully fulfilled their obligation in rolling out networks are still qualified to apply for a 3G license.
The new rules also mandated the subsequent interconnection of all 3G networks, allowing seamless network sharing between local operators that will be granted 3G licenses.
The rules state that 3G networks should “interconnect with all 3G networks, cellular mobile telephone networks, local exchange networks and all other public networks, pursuant to existing laws, rules and regulations on mandatory interconnection;
“[It should also] share its 3G network and facilities with other 3G players in areas where demand does not allow more than one 3G network at mutually agreed prices or at prices set by the Commission. Only 3G operators that have complied with their approved roll-out plans can share their networks and facilities subject to mutually agreed commercial terms and conditions,” the new rules added.
The NTC has decided to defer the number portability provision in previous draft, saying that this issue requires a different set of rules.
In earlier public hearings, the NTC cited 134 3G licenses that have been awarded across 48 countries, with 67 networks having launched commercial services.
The total number of 3G subscribers has reached 22 million worldwide, a five hundred percent market growth in 2004 alone, with the Asia-Pacific region showing the strongest growth.
Meanwhile the NTC has also issued the final rules governing the broadband wireless networks.
Under the new rules, NTC will re-allocate specific frequency bands for the broadband wireless access of fixed, nomadic, and mobile networks.
These frequencies are 450-470 Mhz; 1900-1910 MHz; 1980-1990 MHz; 2400-2483 MHz; 2500-2700 MHz; 3400-3600 MHz; 5150-5350 MHz; 5470-5850 MHz; 10150-10650 MHz.
NTC that this move is consistent with government’s socio-economic agenda of using information and communications technology to provide universal access, and ubiquitous and affordable access to Filipinos.
The agency said that the transfer of previously authorized persons or entities operating radio stations within the listed radio frequency bands would be governed by Rule 603 contained in its memorandum circular 3-3-96.
ngem no makitkitamton ‘tay kapatpatangmo iti selpon, kasanon dagitay mannakitxtm8t nga agpampammarang wenno aglinglinged wenno mangal-allilaw? todas ni laing! didan mabalin nga ilinged ti rupada kadagiti katetxtda. makitamon a sigud ti katxtm8tmon. maawan metten no kua ‘tay suspense wenno thrill ti panangpugpugtom wenno panangar-arep-epmo iti pagrupaan wenno pakabuklanna.
