The Open Access in Data Transmission Act, also known as the Konektadong Pinoy Act, officially became law on August 24. The law aims to encourage capitalists to develop data transmission infrastructure and remove barriers to allow free competition in data transmission services.
The group Computer Professionals Union (CPU) expressed concern over the provisions and overall framework of the law. Opening up the country’s telecommunications (telco) industry to foreign companies liberalizes the sector, it said.
The said law facilitates and expedites the process for telcos to operate in the country. Companies no longer need to go through congress to obtain a franchise to operate.
Allowing foreign companies to enter will worsen the country’s economy in the long term, contrary to promises that it will supposedly lower data transmission service costs, the group said.
According to the group, instead of liberalizing and privatizing the sector, the telecommunications “oligopoly” should be dismantled, local industry must be supported and investments must be in state-owned transmission infrastructure. The state must prioritize addressing the needs of the people rather than amassing profits. This must be done in the context of national industrialization.
At present, telcos such as PLDT and Converge, along with foreign capitalists like Starlink’s Elon Musk, are rushing to take part in drafting the law’s Implementing Rules and Regulations to protect their interests.
“While we should support initiatives that would genuinely address the lack of equitable internet access in the Philippines, we should remain cautious about how these attempts might jeopardize our country in the long run,” CPU explained.
“We urge other IT professionals, interest organizations, and concerned citizens to also take a stand against the continuing liberalization and privatization of services in our country,” the group added.
