ISOC proposes a program for building cellular towers at DICT

ISOC INFRASTRUCTURES, Inc., a unit of ISOC Holdings, Inc., has submitted a spontaneous proposal to the Department of Technology 's. information and communications (DICT) to build 25,000 common cellular towers over seven years.

At a briefing at the DTIC office Wednesday, Acting Secretary Eliseo M. Rio, Jr. said that it was the first time an unsolicited proposal to accredit a common tower provider, and must consult his legal department for a complete overhaul.

"Remember that the government will not spend anything here, it will only give permission to the promoter to erect common towers. Mr Rio also noted that the DICT can accommodate up to two joint ventures, which should also submit a proposal and go through the process. to which he will submit ISOC In

"Basically, this will initially be considered a public-private partnership (PPP) .The PPP rules established by our laws will be applicable.This will be subject to a public hearing and then a Swiss challenge will then be conducted, "said the Legal Office of the DICT

In case of Swiss challenge, other companies may submit counter-proposals, but ISOC Infra, as the opportunity to match the counter-offers.

Rio also stated that, unlike other PPPs, ISOC Infra will be allowed to operate, maintain and lease its towers if it is accredited by DICT

ISOC Infra is chaired by Michael C. Cosiquien, co-founder of Megawide During the meeting, he said that the company is investing 100 billion pesos over a period of seven years at a price estimated between 3.5 and 6 million pesos per turn.

Rio said the mid nistery encourages the sharing of towers, as opposed to the practice of Globe Telecom, Inc. and PLDT, Inc., to erect towers for their exclusive use

. Rio said sharing towers would be more economical and hopes that a common tower policy will make telecommunication services more affordable.

"That's what we're trying to do – reduce costs.Because now, the cost of Globe and Smart is (such) because they do not share the tricks." They pass on to consumers the cost of building a tower, "he said.

But he adds that both companies are still allowed to build their own tower if they wish, as their concessions from the National Commission Telecommunications (NTC) permits – Denise A. Valdez