Leading integrated telco PLDT, Inc. (PLDT) is spearheading an industry-wide initiative for the mutual protection of telecommunications infrastructure across the country, helping ensure that Filipinos have unhampered access to connectivity and telco services.
In June of this year, PLDT’s Asset Protection & Security Risk Governance (APSRG) organized and launched the National Telecommunications Security Council (NTSC), which is composed of Corporate Security Professionals from the different Telecommunication Companies (Telcos) like Globe Telecoms, Dito Telecommunity, Converge ICT Solutions, and Sky Cable.
"We established the NTSC for the purpose of sharing intelligence information and the coordination of activities against the common threat posed by thieves and other perpetrators," said Atty Oliver Carlos Odulio, head of PLDT’s Asset Protection and Security Risk Governance (APSRG).
"This has also allowed us to share best practices on how to keep our fiber, cell sites and other network infrastructure physically safe, and is part of our long-standing commitment to ensure continued connectivity and unhampered delivery of our fiber-to-the-home, LTE and 5G services to our customers," he added.
According to PLDT’s APSRG, while incidents involving loss of network equipment have increased 59% year-on-year in the first seven months of the year, efforts of APSRG have also led to a 422% increase in apprehensions as well for the same period.
“PLDT is committed to work closely with local government units, local authorities and our colleagues in the industry to ensure the physical security of telco infrastructure and make sure that these illegal activities do not cause interruptions to our customers’ internet connections,” he said.
With the NTSC working as one solid security group addressing loss of network equipment resulting to disruption in network connectivity, loss incidents have decreased abruptly nationwide while the number of apprehended perpetrators increased sharply.
The NTSC was formed to act as a horizontal group that would act complementary to and in parallel with the long-standing Asset Protection Council (AP Council), of the MVP group of companies, which is composed of the different asset protection and security groups from businesses led by businessman Manuel V. Pangilinan, like Meralco, Maynilad, NLEX, Philex, TV5, MPHHI, ePLDT, etc. Similar to the AP Council which is chaired by the PLDT-Smart Security Head Atty. Odulio, the NTSC had elected Col. Willie Gonio, PLDT-Smart Security Central Command and Admin head, as its first chair.
To further foster solidarity among members of the NTSC and MVPSC, PLDT recently hosted the 1st MVP Cup Shooting Competition at the Philippine Army Firing Range on July 28 - 29. The two-day event was participated in by members of the AP Council, NTSC, and members of Security Service Providers of PLDT/Smart. The MVP Cup was graced by PLDT and Smart Communications President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio and Commanding General of the Philippine Army (CGPA) Lt. Gen. Romeo S. Brawner, Jr. through a Ceremonial Shoot.
This initiative is part of PLDT’s continuing effort to further improve the quality of customer experience nationwide. PLDT operates the country's most extensive fiber infrastructure, which was at 837,900 kilometers as of end-June 2022. This fiber infrastructure also supports Smart's mobile network, which provides 3G, 4G/LTE and 5G to customers from Batanes to Tawi-Tawi.
