IN a bid to boost broadband connectivity in geographically isolated and disadvantaged areas (GIDAs), the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) said on Wednesday that it would issue a circular to require the independent common tower companies to focus in rural areas.

DICT Assistant Secretary Renato Paraiso said that Secretary Ivan John Uy has given instructions on the issuance of a department circular on common tower policy that would require independent cell site station builders to focus on GIDAs.

These are rural areas where internet connections are crucial to economic activities and online learning, he said in a statement.

Citing records, the DICT official said that there are more than 50 independent common tower companies operating in the country to catch up with the 50,000 targeted cell sites for the common use of the telcos.

"We need to establish a policy that would direct them to put their investments in GIDAs for the country to achieve a fully digitized economy as envisioned by President Ferdinand Marcos," Paraiso said.

To further strengthen the country's digital info-structure, he said the country would need to increase the foundational framework and infrastructure that supports the creation, storage, processing, security and transmission of information.

This includes both the physical and digital components necessary for the information and communications technology systems to function effectively, Paraiso said.

"This is where the telcos and independent common towers companies play a big role in helping the government to expedite the info-structure buildup if their cell stations would be erected in GIDAs," he said.

Saying at least 65 percent of the country's population is still without internet connection, the DICT official noted that only 2,374 cell sites were recorded to have been constructed by the independent common tower companies, excluding those which were not yet reported by seven ICT firms.

Paraiso said the agency is updating the number of cell towers owned by the leading local telecom companies such as Globe, Smart-Philippine Long Distance Telephone, Converge and Dito.

He said the newly passed Republic Act 11659 which removes restrictions on foreign ownership for telecom companies could turn the tide and help boost the number of cellular towers which at present is below the ideal requirement necessary for the country to attain a fully digitized economy.

RA 11659, or the Public Service Act, provides that foreigners are allowed to own more than 50 percent of capital in public services engaged in the operation and management of critical infrastructure which includes telecommunications.

The law will provide the window for foreign capital to get invested in telecommunications and related businesses like independent common tower builders, Paraiso said.