Globe asks NTC to amend rules on illegal repeaters

MANILA, Philippines — Globe Telecom Inc. has sought the National Telecommunication Commission (NTC)’s help to address the prevalence of illegal repeaters, which it said negatively impacts signals resulting in slow connections, dropped calls and poor voice call quality.

It submitted its proposal to amend NTC Memorandum Order 01-02-2013 to curb the use of illegal repeaters proliferating in online stores.

The Ayala-led telco is appealing to NTC to allow only type-approved repeaters or signal boosters that are industry certified to prevent interference with network signals contributing to poor network experience.

It also asked the NTC to conduct monthly routine inspection and scanning of all CMTS frequencies to mitigate the interference caused by unauthorized radio transmitting devices.

Globe said illegal repeaters or signal boosters, which are devices used for boosting mobile phone reception, are uncalibrated thus not suitable to local mobile conditions and require tuning or filtering to be effective.

It said these illegal repeaters negate the efforts of telcos to expand their capability and connectivity by building more cell towers or cell sites.

Moreover, the firm said these boosters interfere with mobile phone networks that may even put people’s safety into danger when they need to make emergency calls.

“We are exerting so much effort in making the mobile and internet experience more enjoyable and pleasant for our customers. These expansion and network rollouts, however, will be useless especially in these times where connectivity is an essential part of every Filipino household if illegal repeaters keep on negating our efforts to improve experience,” Globe chief legal counsel Froilan Castelo said.

“More importantly, illegal repeaters may boost the weak signal of a user but these unauthorized devices likewise put into risk the lives of other people in the community who need assistance in matters of life and death situations,” he said.

According to Globe, the sale of illegal repeaters is very common in online shopping websites, online marketplace, online shopping apps and in physical electronics and communications stores all over the country.

Globe is currently in talks with several technology companies to bring in authorized repeaters.

“Globe will see to it that these network approved repeaters are tested and proven not to put any Globe customer or community at any danger at all times. Also, these devices must not interfere with Globe’s network signals,” it said.