DICT orders telcos, internet providers to ensure uninterrupted services

People walk past the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) office on C.P. Garcia, Diliman, Quezon City in this file photo taken on February 5, 2020. INQUIRER FILE PHOTO / GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE

MANILA, Philippines — The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has directed all Public Telecommunication Entities (PTEs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to submit a business continuity plan that details measures they have taken to ensure uninterrupted service in view of the increased demand for information and communications technology (ICT) services.

In a statement on Tuesday, the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said the order aims to boost efforts at maintaining the operation of vital ICT services and supporting infrastructure, as the national government extended the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) until April 30 in a bid to curb the further spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

“For the duration of the ECQ, telecommunications play a key role as many businesses shift from traditional operations to work-from-home arrangements for health and safety concerns,” the department said.

According to DICT, the order is also in line with its directive to the NTC to monitor mobile network operators and ISPs to ensure continued provision of reliable services through sufficient bandwidth allocation.

Reports on the business continuity plans are expected to be submitted to the Office of the Commissioner of the NTC on or before April 17.

The DICT said these measures also complement the Republic Act No. 11469, otherwise known as the “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act,” which mandates the continued operation of telecommunications as a critical service during the ECQ.

Edited by JPV