WIN TRANSCRIPT AMBUSH INTERVIEW
COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC AFFAIRS: REGULATION, COMPETITION & SPECTRUM
SESSION HALL

According to Sen Win, NTC does not have sufficient regulatory powers to sanction erring telcos particularly regarding data services.

The innovation of Senate Resolution No. 213 is to even the playing field for new telco players. Senator Win expresses doubt regarding the spectrum split between major players, it has been preventing the entry of new telco players in the country.

Senator Win prompted NTC that spectrum is owned by the Filipino people, if it is not being utilized, then they should return it to the Filipino people.

A committee report should be expected before the franchise renewal which is on or before March 20, 2017, so that the body can have a more holistic knowledge about the industry.

Senator Win will be attending the hearing tomorrow of the Committee on Public Services joint with Ways and Means regarding the Smart Franchise to question their multiple tax breaks.

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Sen Win: Batas para ma-regulate sila, so titignan namin yung mga improvements sa batas. Hiwalay kasi yung broadcast, hiwalay yung telecom.

Q: For instance, yung NBP, PLDT at TV5 yun yon?

Sen Win: In this set-up kasi, hiwalay yung franchise nila eh. But there will come a point na Smart will have their own TV station, magpoproduce ng sarili nilang content o Telenovela. Ano ang atin? Is that a Value-Added Service or is that a broadcast?

Q: Kung streaming lang siya?

Sen Win: Can be. Lumalabas din sa mga briefing namin kanina. It can happen.

Q: So they have immediate legislation?

Sen Win: I think the first order of this is to improve internet service and to strengthen NTC. Yan ang unang-unang dapat gawin. NTC is a 20-year old regulator that doesn't have powers to sanction erring telcos.

Q: Walang power ang telcos ngayon?

Sen Win: Not enough.

Q: Sir, sinasabi nila na yung mga telcos hindi makapag-install ng additional supplies?

Sen Win: Hindi yan totoo eh. Lumabas din sa hearing naming na pwede ang co-use. For example, globe ka, smart ako, pwede kong gamitin sayo, pwede mong gamitin sakin, Co-Use. So instantly, walang issue eh.

Q: So bakit mabagal nga sir?

Sen Win: Yun nga ang tanong. Para sakin, isa sa nakita ko ay dahil wala ngang regulatory powers yung NTC over the data services. Yung aim naming kanina is on the regulation. Yung bukas is sa smart check. Hiwalay sya eh sa smart planning regulation.

Q: Yung innovation na batas, will it open up the industry to other players?

Sen Win: Yung innovation naming batas is to even the playing field. It also touched on speculative management. Kung may third player na papasok, makakakuha siya ng spectrum na pwede niyang gamitin upang labanan yung dalawang telcos.

Q: New player can get spectrum? Sino kaya yun.

Sen. Win: pinakita rin na pinag hatian yung spectrum para sakin that's also questionable, di na makaposk yung pangatlo eh.

Q: Pano bibiyakin yun?

Sen. Win: Ang question sa batas natin pag di mo ginamit balik mo sa gobyerno, the spectrum is owned by the Filipino people, ngayon ang tanong ginagamit ba nila o hindi? baka hinawakan lang nila, binili at hinawakan para wala nang ibang makapasok. Ganun lumalabas eh. So ang sabi ko sa NTC tignan niyo kung ginagamit o hindi, kung hindi edi balik niyo para magamit yan.

Q: Since binili nila yun, pati bayad babalik din?

Sen. Win:But the frequency kasi may colatilla yan eh, you have to use the frequencies, or else return it to the government. Kaya meron dun sa co-use nila, may nakasulat dun, like dapat within 3 years dapat ito gawin mo.

Q: Do you still need hearings or committee report na?

Sen. Win: Committee report na, we will craft a committee report hopefully before the renewal of the Smart franchise para makita ng Senators natin ang situation sa telecom industry and their regulation.

Q: Be ready for?

Sen. Win:Be ready for the renewal of the Smart franchise, next week na yun. On or before March 20.

Q: Before the adjournment on holy week?

Sen. Win: Yes, committee report na yun we will suggest to the body these are the reforms that we need in order to make the telecom industry competitive as well as beneficial.

Q: Bakit bago yung renewal gagawa ng committee report? May gusto kayo itanong?

Sen. Win: Hindi naman, syempre bago tayo bumoto gusto natin holistic yung knowledge natin not just about one particular player but the entire industry.

Q: Kamusta ang Smart Franchise?

Sen. Win: Bukas may hearing Committee on Public Services joint with Ways and Means regarding that. May mga tanong ako na nakita ko sa proposal nila. Maraming tax breaks, I have to ask about the tax break at bakit dumami ng ganun.

 [end recording]