Answer:

A Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) or authorization predicted on a valid congressional franchise is required before an entity is allowed to install, operate and maintain public telecommunications facilities and services in the country.

Answer:

To obtain a CPCN, an applicant has to file an application with the National Telecommunications Commissions Commission (NTC), pay the required filing fee, and after which, the application will be assigned a case number. A Notice of Hearing is published in a newspaper of general circulation. The application undergoes public hearings, is evaluated and an Order/Decision is issued granting the CPCN or Provisional Authority (PA).

Answer:

Foreign ownership is limited to 40%.

Answer:

An entity intending to operate as a Value Added Service Provider only needs to register as a value added service provider.

Answer:

To register as a VAS provider, one has to submit the following requirements:

·         Duly accomplished Application form for VAS registration

·         Description of each of the value added services intended to be offered

·         List of equipment and materials to be used for the system

·         Functional block diagram, system configuration and a brief description of the proposed system

·         Copy of valid facilities/network lease agreement with duly authorized facilities/network providers

·         Certified True Copy of Securities and Exchange Commission Registration (Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws) or Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) Registration showing that the entity is at least sixty percent (60%) owned by Filipino citizens

·         Latest Audited Financial Statement

·         Schedule of service rate

·         Photocopy of PA (for CATV operators only)

Answer:

The following fees and charges shall be imposed on registrants of value added services:

Filing Fee:

• ₱300.00

Annual Registration Fee:

• ₱6,000.00 for the first 5 services registered
• ₱1,000.00 for each additional service registered

Surcharge for late filing of renewal application:

• 50% of the annual registration fee if filed within 6 months from date of expiry
• 100% if filed after 6 months from date of expiry

Answer:

“Push messages are messages sent to a mobile phone by a public telecommunications entity or content provider, whether subscribed or unsolicited, without a specific request from the user. Under NTC Memorandum Circular No. 03-03-2005, as amended, commercial and promotional broadcast/push messages — including advertisements and surveys — may only be sent to subscribers who have given prior consent or specifically opted in. Subscribers who do not respond to an opt-in request are considered not to have opted in, and the broadcast must be stopped. Broadcast/push messages may not be sent between 9:00 PM and 7:00 AM, except for paid subscription services.”

Answer:

Spam messages are unsolicited or unwanted commercial and promotional advertisements and surveys.

Answer:

Some statistics are available in the Information section of  NTC websites. You may also visit or contact NTC Region 7 directly to request statistics specific to Central Visayas.

Answer:

The general procedure is:

1. The applicant secures a franchise from the Congress of the Philippines.
2. The applicant files an application/petition with NTC, containing the proposed services, coverage areas, and schedule of rates to be charged to the public, supported by financial, legal, and technical documents.
3. The applicant pays the assessed filing fee.
4. The application/petition is docketed and assigned a case number.
5. NTC prepares a Notice of Hearing, which is published in a newspaper of general circulation.
6. The application undergoes public hearings.
7. NTC evaluates the application.

Answer:

The general procedure is:

1. Secure the Application for Permit to Purchase/Possess (Form APP L-01) from NTC Region 7.
2. If approved, you will be issued a Permit to Purchase/Possess indicating your assigned frequency, validity period, number of units, and other relevant details.
3. Once the Permit to Purchase is issued, you may then purchase the radio communication equipment from an NTC-authorized dealer.

Answer:

Only commercial equipment that has been type-approved or type-accepted by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) may be used.

Answer:

A list of type-approved equipment is maintained by the Equipment Standards Division at the NTC Central Office. You may view the list of NTC type-approved equipment here.

Answer:

From any dealer duly authorized by NTC. You may view the list of NTCVII-authorized radio dealers here.

Answer:

For a new network, a filing fee of ₱180.00 per unit is paid upon filing of the application. If the application is approved, a Permit to Purchase/Possess fee ranging from ₱156.00 to ₱216.00 per unit — depending on the type of radio — is charged and must be paid prior to the release of the permit.

Answer:

Yes. The purchase of radios must be made within the specified validity period of the permit.

Answer:

The Permit to Purchase is valid for 180 days from the date of issuance.

Answer:

No. You must first secure a Radio Station License for each unit before it may be used.

Answer:

• Application for Radio Station License
• Application for Construction Permit (for repeater, base, and/or land mobile stations)
• Original copy of the Permit to Purchase
• Photocopy of the sales invoice for the radios

Answer:

Yes. NTC monitors radio stations nationwide, including those operating within Region 7.