Villar telecommunications company gets Congress franchise

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte has signed into law a bill granting a 25-year congressional franchise to the Villar-owned Streamtech Systems Technologies, which aims to join the telecommunications business currently dominated by Smart Communications and Globe Telecom.

Duterte signed the measure on Oct. 18, around the same time that the government also started accepting applications for players for the third telco slot.

The President’s signing of the franchise boosts the Villar Group’s chances of joining the bid for the country’s third telco slot.

Under Republic Act 11089, Streamtech is granted a franchise to construct, install, establish, operate, and maintain for commercial purposes, and in the public interest, an international gateway facility to serve and connect the Philippines to other countries and territories, wire and/or wireless telecommunications systems, international and national broadband system, mobile and cellular.

A former Senate president and House speaker, Manny Villar’s business covers real estate development.

Streamtech’s operations will include, but not limited to, fiber optics, multi-channel multipoint distribution systems, switches, and their value-added services such as transmission of voice, data, facsimile, control signs, audio and vide, information services and other value-added technologies.

The grantee shall provide mobile number portability (MNP).

The grantee shall secure from the National Telecommunications Commission a certificate of public convenience and Necessity and the appropriate permits and licenses for the construction, operation and maintenance of the telecommunications systems.

For excavation and restoration works, it should seek the approval of the Department of Public Works and Highways and local government units concerned, as may be appropriate.