The Philippine Chamber of Telecommunication Operators (PCTO) is urging the government to slow down the rollout of the Konektadong Pinoy Act, otherwise known as Republic Act No. 12234, as the country faces a national energy emergency, warning that rushing new rules could strain telecom services used by millions of Filipinos.
In a statement, the group said it supports the law’s goal of improving internet access nationwide but asked regulators to “take a more measured approach” in implementing its rules.
Among the group’s concerns is the pace of public consultations on technical policies such as infrastructure sharing, the “dig once” policy, and cybersecurity requirements. According to PCTO, overlapping and tight consultation schedules make it difficult for telecom companies to give meaningful input, especially while dealing with power-related challenges.
The group also cited increasing operational costs caused by the energy situation. Telecom operators rely heavily on electricity to keep cell sites, data centers, and networks running. Power supply issues, higher costs, and supply chain disruptions are already affecting daily operations, while demand for stable internet remains high.
PCTO is also pushing for the full use of the one-year timeline under the law to finalize the Spectrum Management and Policy Framework (SMPF). Rushing this process, it said, could lead to policies that are not aligned with real-world technical and market conditions.
Given these pressures, the group is asking for a temporary pause on new telecom-related policies during the crisis. This includes delaying circulars or directives that could add further burden on operators.
“The priority now is to keep networks stable and reliable,” the group said. “Connectivity is essential, especially during a national emergency.”
