DICT: Gov't to confiscate unused radio frequencies

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) on Thursday warned telecommunication companies to use radio frequencies assigned to them by the government or risk losing the radio spectrum back to the state.

"Let this be a warning to all the assignees of frequencies unused ... I have ordered the NTC Commissioner Cordoba to start on quasi-judicial proceedings for the recovery and return of those frequencies unused," DICT Secretary Rodolfa A. Salalima said during the Philippine Telecoms Summit 2017 in Pasay City.

Commissioner Gamaliel A. Cordoba heads the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

The government will make sure that all radio frequencies are utilized to improve telecommunications services in the country, Salalima said.

"(Frequencies will be returned) to the government – for our government, or for reassignment to the legitimate telcos who will and must use these frequencies for public service," the Cabinet official said.

"No use, no payment of spectrum users fee. The state shall take these frequencies back," he added.

PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. acquired additional frequencies as part of the co-acquisition deal covering telecom business of San Miguel Corp. last year.

According to the NTC letter approving the deal on May 27, 2016, Globe will be permitted to use the following frequencies:

• 703 to 720.5 and 758 to 775.5 MHz

• 880 to 885 and 925 to 930 MHz

• 1710 to 1717.5 and 1805 to 1812.5 MHz

• 2380 to 2395 MHz

• 2555 to 2595 MHz

PLDT mobile subsidiary Smart Communications Inc. will get to use the following:

• 720.5 to 738 and 775.5 to 793 MHz

• 885 to 890 and 930 to 935 MHz

• 1717.5 to 1725 and 1812.5 to 1820 MHz

• 2365 to 2380 MHz

• 2629 to 2669 MHz

Moving forward, Salalima said the government will assign frequencies on a show-need basis.

"Frequencies will be assigned on a show-need basis. Frequencies will be reserved for legitimate operators, and assigned to them from time to time upon showing of need or demand of these frequencies," he said. — VDS, GMA News