Globe supports NTC action on illegal cell broadcasters; Cautions public against illegal sale and use of illegal signal repeaters, and signal jammers

Globe fully supports the recent NTC action to go after the sale of the illegal cell broadcaster, an equipment intended to serve the public during extreme periods of disaster. Alongside this, the telco also cautioned the public on the sale and use of illegal signal boosters/repeaters, cellular signal blockers and jammers which cause widespread interference to telecommunications services in a particular area. These network disruptions include slow or failed connections, dropped calls and voice quality issues and even loss of cell phone signals.

Illegal repeaters come in the form of indoor or outdoor antennas and wireless adapters that boost network coverage and signal by means of hogging bandwidth from a Globe cell site. As a result, such devices interfere with airwaves and interfere with mobile signals for other customers within the immediate vicinity of the booster and served by the interfered cell site.

On the other hand, cell signal jammers totally block the cellular signal and prevent anyone from making use of the service. Often these are used for venues such as concert halls, theaters or places of worship to prevent disruption of an event due to people receiving or making calls while an event is in progress. It is also used to prevent the use of cellphones in high security places such as the National Penitentiary. However, signal jammers can also be used to block cell signals that can disrupt critical service in the case of disaster relief and rescue operations or even disrupt automated elections which rely on cell signals at polling precincts.

Since 2013, The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has prohibited the sale of these illegal devices under National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) Memorandum Order No. 01-02-2013 “Prohibition of Portable Cellular Mobile Repeater and Portable Cell site Equipment”. Despite this, more and more online shops, sellers and vendors are offering these illegal repeaters on social media.

The NTC is already in the process of reviewing for a possible update on its old memorandum (NTC MO 01-02-2013) against the sale of illegal repeaters.

“While we continue to expand our network to deliver first-world connectivity to Filipinos, these efforts will be hindered if illegal repeaters remain in use and will continue to interfere with and degrade mobile network communications,” said Emmanuel Estrada, Globe Head of Technology and Strategy Service Integration.

Globe conducts routine scanning for these illegal devices, and provides its scan results to the NTC for their appropriate action. Meanwhile, Globe encourages its customers to report to Globe, suspected users or sellers of illegal repeaters and jammers so the company can investigate and shut down these illegal devices with the help of the NTC. “We all need to use communications networks ethically and responsibly, especially in these times when a stable connection is imperative for every customer,” he added.

Globe continued to increase its capital expenditures to an unprecedented P76 billion this year. Majority of the budget is allocated for data network expansion nationwide, particularly of its 5G network. Globe has also installed one million fiber-to-the-home lines as of end-September, constructed 641 new cell towers, and upgraded 8,175 sites to 4G LTE as of end-June.

Globe strongly supports the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly UN SDG No. 9, which highlights the roles of infrastructure and innovation as crucial drivers of economic growth and development. Globe is committed to upholding the UN Global Compact principles and contributes to 10 UN SDGs.

To learn more about Globe, visit www.globe.com.ph.