The Philippines' ICT ministry plans to establish agreements with tower companies aimed at accelerating the deployment of cell sites across the country.
The department signed an agreement with the first tower company partner, ISOC Infrastructure, in December, and at least three others are expected to follow suit.
“As of now, around three tower companies have shown interest in signing a Memorandum of Understanding with DICT,” the department's acting secretary Eliseo M Rio Jr said in a statement.
The agreements to be signed will pave the way for the DICT to support common tower companies through the facilitation of permits, right of way, and other government support.
According to Rio, the government will reserve providing support to tower companies that have secured business transactions with the market's operators, including the recently-announced third market entrant Mislatel – a consortium between China Telecom and businesses earned by local tycoon Dennis Uy.
The department also plans to advocate for a proposal to provide subsidies for the deployment of common towers in underserved areas.