Regulator drafts 3G cell-site co-location rules

By Darwin G. Amojelar,  Reporter

THE National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) considers another set of guidelines on 3G (third generation) co-location of facilities to avoid redundancy of networks.

Edgardo Cabarios, head of Common Carriers Authorization Department, said NTC is preparing a draft of the memorandum circular on 3G co-location of cellular sites.

Co-location of network means that a carrier can freely use the base station of another carrier in a particular area, thus nullifying the need of a company to set up its own base station since one already exists.

Cabarios explained that co-location of networks could avoid redundancy of networks and save 3G operators billions of pesos in investments.

However, he said that the sharing of facilities among carriers may give rise to issues such as who will pay for the real estate and the security, and how to prioritize repairs when disasters strike.

Connectivity Unlimited Resources Inc. (CURE) had eyed other telcos as co-locators for its network facilities in order to offer its services nationwide.

The company will roll out the construction of its 3G infrastructure in January next year, the deadline set by the regulator.

The NTC will also evaluate whether Smart Telecommunications Inc., Globe Globe Telecom Inc., Digital Telecommunications Philippines Inc. and CURE have complied with the terms and conditions of the 3G licenses that were awarded to them late last year.

So far, only Smart and Globe have rolled out 3G networks, while the Gokongwei-owned Digitel and CURE have until next month to deploy 3G cell sites.