The DICT (Department of Information and Communications Technology) has moved further on its shared Passive Telecommunications Tower Infrastructure (PTTI) Policy with the country’s first common telecom tower under the LCS Group of Companies to be activated by DITO Telecommunity. DITO is the first mobile network operator (MNO) to take advantage of this DICT initiative, following the push for the growth and development of ITC’s (Independent Tower Companies).

“Through the Common Tower Policy, we hope to widen the base of common towers and, thus, speed up the deployment of Internet across the country by allowing and encouraging telcos and Internet service providers to share cell towers. The government and the private sector need to work closely together in upgrading ICT infrastructures, such as cell towers, not just to improve the quality of Internet connectivity, but also to address the increasing demand for data generated by the millions of online users in the new normal,” according to DICT Secretary Gregorio “Gringo” Honasan II during the inspection of the first activated shared telecom tower this week.

Mayor Chavit Singson, Chairman of the LCS Group commented during the said activity its commitment to Secretary Honasan, “LCS, in support of the DICT and the President’s PTTI directives, commits to roll out as much as 6,000 towers in the next few years with strategic partnerships to ensure universal access to reliable, affordable and secure connectivity.”

The LCS Group of Companies has been leading the construction of more than 100 common towers spread in various stages of completion across Luzon and strategic NCR areas. Forming a network of main thoroughfares for MNOs to capitalize on, these towers are composed of Self Support Towers, Rapid Deployment Station Towers, and Rooftop Towers.

Aaron H. Tan, CEO for ICT of LCS said that the tower activated by DITO Telecommunity was a Rapid Deployment Station (RDS) Telecom Tower in Valenzuela City offering a faster set up structure that incorporates tower body, fencing, and foundation in one. These structures can be deployed and disassembled in a few days without the need for extensive excavation and foundation construction.

Mr. Tan mentioned, “With the partnership between LCS, Acoda Group, and ATS, we managed to roll out the Philippines’ first RDS Common Telecom Tower. This structure spans 20m in height that can be constructed in strategic NCR regions to cater to the 3 MNOs. After intensive and careful analysis, this type of tower is most suitable to be deployed in this area where suitable land is scarce and shortage of elevated buildings.”

Atty. Adel Tamano, DITO Chief Administrative Officer, shared this sentiment, “The government’s common tower policy allows us to tap reliable local partners and their existing telecommunications infrastructure assets to support our network rollout, without having to build everything from scratch; done to ensure that we deliver on our promise of faster and more affordable internet connectivity for our countrymen.”

The DITO said that they plan to activate with LCS up to 100 more common towers and hope to complete a total of 300 towers by end of the year together with other independent tower contractors.