3.

4 Philippines Telecommunications
Telecommunications Regulations
Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems
Internet Service Providers (ISPs)
Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)

The Philippines has an advanced mobile market when compared to other similar countries.

The Philippine Long-Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) and Globe Telecom are the two major telecommunication carriers in the country. The current
Philippine cellular infrastructure is Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM). 4G service was made available in 2010, access to 4G services are
above 70% for both all over the country with more than 80% in the main town. SMART (PLDT) and Globe launched long-term evolution (LTE) networks in
2012.PLDT has an existing digital fibre optic, and a digital microwave radio system connecting the entire country. Globe Telecom has fibre optic cables
and was the first to offer Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMax). The bulk of the fixed services are in urban areas. In contrast, the fixed
line market in the Philippines remains underdeveloped and fixed line penetration continues to show stagnant growth. A major reason for this is due to the
dominance of the mobile segment and the rapid expansion of the mobile broadband segment. PLDT has continued to be the Philippines’ dominant fixed-
line provider. However, in recent years, Globe Telecom has been pushing hard to overhaul the incumbent and now is the leading mobile provider in term of
overall subscribers.

It’s very easy buying a mobile number in the Philippines, you can choose between prepaid and post-pay contracts. The main mobile service providers in
the country are Smart and Globe and you can get information on rates, contract types, fees and offers by visiting operator’s websites. You need unlocked
mobile phones to use it in the Philippines.

Prepaid sim cards are very cheap and available all across the country as well as prepaid “loads” that you can find at every street corner - Data plans or
combo Data + free calls + free texts etc. are also available. These Sim cards are already 4G-enabled.

Post-paid with free calls and free texts for members of the same “fleet” are also available, billed at the end of the month as usual.

To apply for a mobile post-paid account in the Philippines you can fill the application form in mobile phone centres and you will have to provide followings d
ocuments:

Proof of identification (valid internationally-issued passport or unexpired Alien Certificate of Registration)

Proof of address (electric or other bill, bank statement, lease of contract, or notarized lessor’s certificate)
Proof of financial capacity (bank account documents, certificate of employment, latest income tax return or credit card statement of account)

SMART is also a Thuraya provider (from phone to reload cards).

Telephone Services

Is there an existing landline telephone network? Yes

Does it allow international calls? Yes

Number and Length of Downtime Periods (on average) 4 times a year, 2 days length of downtime

Mobile Phone Providers Globe Telecom

Globe Telecom
TM (Touch Mobile) brand of Globe
ABS-CBN Mobile – Use Globe Network through network-sharing agreement.

PLDT

SMART
TNT – Low cost
Sun Cellular – Brand of PLDT

Approximate Percentage of National Coverage 70% to 80%

Telecommunications Regulations
The National Telecommunications Commission(NTC) is an attached agency of the Department of Information and Communications Technologyresponsible
for the supervision, adjudication and control over all telecommunications services throughout the country. All the necessary forms for registration or permits
are available on line on the website of the NTC at the following address: http://ncr.ntc.gov.ph/

Attachment - Telecommunications Licensing Procedures

Regulations on Usage and Import

Regulations in Place? Regulating Authority

Satellite Yes NTC

HF Radio Yes NTC

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 UHF/VHF/HF Radio: Handheld, Base and Mobile Yes NTC

UHF/VHF Repeaters Yes NTC

GPS No n/a

VSAT Yes NTC

Individual Network Operator Licenses Required

Yes, can acquire it from NTC.

Frequency Licenses Required

Yes

Radio Materials Registration Fees (NTC)

Price / UNIT As Of

SIMPLEX Portable 1000 PhP March 2019

Mobile 1300 PhP March 2019

Base 2100 PhP March 2019

DUPLEX Portable 1100 PhP March 2019

Mobile 1700 PhP March 2019

Base 3200 PhP March 2019

REPEATER 3000 PhP March 2019

Existing Humanitarian Telecoms Systems

There is an existing humanitarian telecoms system in place in some areas of operation and is currently managed by UNDSS.

UNDSS WFP

VHF Frequencies YES

HF Frequencies YES

Locations of Repeaters Manila, Davao, Cotabato, North Upi

VSAT YES YES

Internet Service Providers (ISPs)

There are currently two major service providers, the PLDT and Globe Telecom. There are also other ISPs that are available namely: Sky Broadband,
Converge ICT, Eastern Communications, RISE, Radius and InfiniVan.All ISPs offers DSL and Fiber Internet connections. If you are out of coverage with
these providers, Satellite Internet Service provider are also available such as, WIT Phillippines Inc., Kontack One, AZ Communication Networks and IP
Star.

Internet Service Providers

Are there ISPs available? Yes

If yes, are they privately or government owned? Privately

Dial-up only? No

Approximate Rates (local currency and USD - $) Dial-up n/a

Broadband Depends on subscription

(Fiber, DSL or Wifi / 5Mbps to 250Mbps)

1299 PhP up to 6299 PhP –

20 USD up to 100 USD

Max Leasable ‘Dedicated’ Bandwidth 250Mbps (Fiber)

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Mobile Network Operators (MNOs)
Currently, there are 2 Mobile Network Operators in the Philippines, Globe and PLDT, note that PLDT has 3 mobile brands Smart Communications, Sun
Cellular, and TalkNText (TNT). Both MNOs offer Merchant Payment, Money transfer and Payment services.

For information on MNOs please visit the GSM Association website.

Comp Number of Agent Out Network Strengt Contracted for Humanitarian or Government Ca Services Offered (i.e. Merchant Payment, Bulk Disbursem
any lets by Area h by Area sh Transfer Programmes? ent, Receive & Make Payment)

GLO 8-10 per Municipality Depends on the L Yes Merchant Payment, Money Transfer, Receive & Make
BE ocation Payment

SMA 8-10 per Municipality Depends on the L Yes Merchant Payment, Money Transfer, Receive & Make
RT ocation Payment

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