The national government has committed to strengthen what it described as the country’s “digital infostructure” as part of the measure to boost internet connectivity especially in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas.

Part of the efforts is to increase the foundational framework, and infrastructure that supports the creation, storage, processing, security and transmission of information,  including both the physical and digital components necessary for the information and communications technology systems to function effectively.

Currently, the number of cellular towers in the country is far below the ideal requirement necessary for the country to attain a fully digitized economy and Information and Communications Technology Assistant Secretary Renato Paraiso said they are optimistic that it would increase, especially with the passage of the Republic Act 11659 that paved the way to the amendment of the Public Service Act.

The law provides that foreign nationals are allowed to own more than 50 percent of capital in public services engaged in the operation and management of critical infrastructure which includes telecommunications and Paraiso said this is expected to provide the window for foreign capitals to get invested in telecom and related businesses like independent common tower builders.

Paraiso said that there are more than 50 independent common tower companies operating in the country to catch up with the 50,000 targeted cell sites for the common use of the telcos.

At present only 2,374 cell sites were recorded to have been constructed by the independent common tower companies, excluding those which were not yet reported by another seven  Information Communication Technology firms.

“We need to establish a policy that would direct them to put their investments in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas for the country to achieve a fully digitized economy as envisioned by President Bongbong Marcos,” said Paraiso.

“This is where the telcos and independent common towers companies play a big role in helping the government to expedite the "infostructure" buildup if their cell stations are erected in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas,” he added.

He said the Department of Information and Communications Technology is expected to issue a department circular on common tower policy that would require independent cell site station builders to focus on rural areas where internet connections are crucial to economic activities and online learning.