DICT warns of unverified tower companies claiming to be part of 3rd telco

The Department of Information and Communications and Technology (DICT) has warned the public against unverified independent tower companies claiming to be part of the third telco tower provider in the country.

"The [DICT] has received information that several unverified independent tower companies (ITCs) are requesting information and/or proposing to purchase properties as sites for cellular towers, introducing themselves as the 3rd Telecommunity Tower provider in the Philippines," the DICT said in an advisory.  

It added that said companies are in no way connected to DICT nor their actions are sanctioned by the Philippine government.

"The DICT informs the public that the general public is advised to exercise extreme caution and due diligence when handing sensitive information to unverified and unauthorized ITC entities," it further said.

The agency said it is investigating the incident as it urged the public to check the list of registered independent companies at https://dict.gov.ph/list-of-registered-itc/

The advisory came as groups warned against the passage of Senate Bill 2699, or the Konektadong Pinoy Bill, which aims to "modernize" the country's digital infrastructure.

Stakeholders said it is a dangerous move as it will relax the country's restrictions on digital infrastructure, which is critical to the nation's security.

SB2699, if passed, will eliminate the requirement for a legislative franchise for the use of the country's radio frequency spectrum and will also weaken the regulatory oversight of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).

Think tank organization Stratbase warned that foreign entities might use the opportunity of relaxed restrictions on digital infrastructure to enter and attack the Philippines' digital infrastructure amid the rising tensions in the Indo-Pacific region.

It added that the government should focus on improving the security and robustness of digital infrastructure and restrict foreign ownership in sensitive areas, particularly national security.

The National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) earlier expressed support for the Konektadong Pinoy bill. 

NEDA Secretary Arsenio Balisacan said the proposed measure “aims to reduce costs and expand access to high-quality internet services for all Filipinos, especially those in unserved and underserved areas.”

In a press release last August, Senator Alan Peter Cayetano, author of the bill, said the proposed measure was a "landmark bill" that would pave the way for reliable, affordable, accessible internet connection across the country.

The bill is now on the Senate plenary for deliberations.—Mariel Celine Serquiña/AOL, GMA Integrated News