Giant telco Globe Telecom sought the institutionalization of a streamlined permitting process for information and communications technology infrastructure to allow faster network build-up.

Such a move from the government will serve to support the steady rise in connectivity across the country amid the greater shift to digital platforms.

Speaking at the Anti-Red Tape Authority's Telco Sector Summit, Michelle Ora, Globe vice president for Site Lifecycle Management Services, reiterated Globe's call for telco services to be regarded as part of the utility sector, which makes it a necessity like water and power.

Government eased the permitting process for telco infrastructure under the Bayanihan to Recover As One or the Bayanihan 2 law, which was enacted at the height of the pandemic to expand the country's capacity for connectivity as consumer demand picks up.

Globe is pushing for the permanence of these provisions to sustain the pace of projects, aligned with the government's aspiration for nationwide digital adoption and transformation. Once a permanent aspect of doing business, local government units will be compelled to issue local ordinances requiring compliance to telco infrastructure standards.

"The assistance of ARTA and local government units in the implementation of the Bayanihan 2 law enables us to proceed with the demand for connectivity on the road to a #1stWorldNetwork," Ora said at the Summit.