Benefits, risks of Konektadong Pinoy Law

5 Lessons Learned Balancing Benefits and Risks in the Konektadong Pinoy Law

The Konektadong Pinoy Law, aimed at promoting internet connectivity across the Philippines, has sparked both excitement and concern. As we reflect on this landmark legislation, five key lessons emerge that can help us balance its benefits with potential risks.

Lesson 1 Removing Entry Barriers Can Foster Innovation

By eliminating outdated franchise requirements for internet service providers (ISPs), the Konektadong Pinoy Law opens doors to new opportunities for small ISPs and cable operators. This move enables thousands of new players to enter the market, expanding connectivity in underserved regions and providing micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) with more affordable, localized services.

Lesson 2 Strengthened Competition Can Drive Down Costs

The law's mandate for infrastructure sharing and fair access can help break monopolistic practices, creating space for new entrants to offer competitive pricing. This increased competition can drive down overall costs for both businesses and consumers, making internet connectivity more accessible.

Lesson 3 Regulatory Oversight is Critical

However, weak regulatory oversight can undermine these benefits. The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) must be equipped with the powers and penalties necessary to police anti-competitive behavior in a more open market. This ensures that small ISPs remain competitive and consumers continue to benefit from lower prices.

Lesson 4 Cybersecurity and Market Stability Are Essential

The opening of the sector to new players without franchise requirements can expose vulnerabilities, particularly if these newcomers lack the financial or technical capacity to sustain reliable operations. Mandatory cybersecurity standards and international certification are crucial to address national security concerns. The implementing rules and regulations (IRR) must establish minimum technical and financial requirements for new entrants to safeguard reliability.

Lesson 5 Addressing Backhaul Bottlenecks is Critical

The dominance of PLDT and Globe over submarine landing stations and backhaul infrastructure remains a structural challenge. To ensure the success of the Konektadong Pinoy Law, the IRR must mandate transparent pricing and non-discriminatory interconnection rules to prevent smaller ISPs from facing inflated costs.

By incorporating these lessons into the implementing rules and regulations (IRR) of the Konektadong Pinoy Law, we can ensure that this landmark legislation delivers its promised benefits while mitigating its risks.

Edward Lance Arellano Lorilla

CEO / Co-Founder

Enjoy the little things in life. For one day, you may look back and realize they were the big things. Many of life's failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.