New cell sites most difficult to deploy in Metro Manila

MANILA, Philippines - Metro Manila has been tagged as the most problematic area in terms of deployment of new cell sites, according to Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc.

“Metro Manila is critical in the deployment of new cell sites as many of our customers are also concentrated in this area. However, there are a myriad of issues that restrains realization of our plans to establish more cell sites in the area and improve the Internet experience of our customers,” Joel Agustin, Globe senior vice president for program governance, network technical group said in a statement yesterday.

Among the issues faced in deployment of cell sites in Metro Manila is the opposition of homeowners due to the perception that such pose health risks.

Agustin said homeowners need not worry as the World Health Organization, cancer.org, United Nations Children’s Emergency Fund and even the Philippine Department of Health, have already addressed such concerns by emphasizing cell sites are not known to cause health problems and even support the use of mobile phones in their projects.

As part of the procedures, permits have to be secured from the National Telecommunications Commission prior to installation of cell site equipment to ensure emissions from the equipment comply with the standards and would not bring health hazards.

After the installation, it would be up to the Health department to continuously monitor the emission setting of the cell site equipment.

Aside from opposition of homeowners, the opposing views of local government executives likewise affect the deployment of cell sites.

Other concerns have also been raised such as the required tower fees prior to processing of cell site permit application, as well as issues with exceeding the tower height requirement imposed by the Civil Aviation Authority of the Philippines.

Globe also encounters problems in terms of individuals not having documents to prove ownership of property; tax arrears; absence of permits for existing property; and issues with banks not willing to provide consent on a proposed location which is a mortgaged property.

Apart from Manila, other areas considered problematic for deployment of cell sites are Cebu, Davao, North Luzon and South Luzon.

As Globe is investing to improve its network coverage and capacity in the country to provide faster internet experience to its subscribers, it will need to improve its cell site density.