DICT launches Tower Watch PH system to monitor telco tower rollout

The Department of Information and Communication Technology (DICT) has launched the Digital Infrastructure Monitoring System called Tower Watch PH.

The monitoring mechanism for tower construction is aimed to streamline permit processing time and accelerate the rollout of connectivity infrastructure in the country.

“Through the Tower Watch PH, we endeavor to “future-proof” our Common Tower Initiative by ensuring that our streamlining efforts in the previous years will not go to waste and continue to contribute to building a more far-reaching and robust ICT infrastructure in the country, regardless of changes in national leadership. The case is when a new administration sits in, some projects of the previous admin are sidelined to give way to the projects of the current admin—we don’t want that to happen,” said DICT Secretary Gregorio “Gringo” B. Honasan II.

The Digital Infrastructure Monitoring System aims to complement the government’s initiatives in addressing internet speed in the country as well as internet coverage in isolated and disadvantaged areas due to the low number of towers, fiber backhaul, and fiber network.

The DICT also wants to encourage more investments by easing the policy environment of the government. This would enable the DICT to accelerate the delivery of nationwide access to broadband services.

Tower Watch PH will cover applications submitted by Independent Tower Companies (ITCs) and telecommunications companies (telcos) for the building or installation of Passive Telecommunication Tower Infrastructure (PTTI) or common towers, Fiber Optic Cables (FOCs), and Installation of In-building Solutions (IBS).

According to DICT, this would also allow oversight agencies to have access to the overall status of pending and completed applications, enabling them to monitor the compliance of the LGUs or offices and to ensure their cooperation with the prescribed processing times.

Source: DICT