Globe backs zero lease for telecom facilities

GLOBE Telecom Inc. said Monday it is pushing the removal of lease fees for in-building telecom facilities as online connectivity has become a need for people in this digital age.

The telco said more property owners and developers are embracing this initiative, which is gaining progress among relevant stakeholders.

«We have made some progress along these lines, getting a number of developers to already agree on this concept. We're just glad to report things are moving and moving in the right direction,» Globe President and Chief Executive Officer Ernest Cu said.

Globe said that unlike water and power utilities, which are not charged lease fees, the telco sector should pay lease and other fees, for access to telco spaces.

Such unregulated fees will just bloat telco expenses and derail efforts to expand connectivity as demand continues to rise.

The telco stated that with connectivity now a basic necessity, Cu's vision is to remove obstacles hindering its growth and pave the way for telco services to be more affordable and readily available for all.

This zero lease initiative was said to have been inspired by successful implementation in Asia-Pacific countries like Singapore, Hong Kong and Australia, adding that such practices can reduce operational costs for telecom companies, foster a more competitive market, and ultimately benefit consumers with improved connectivity and services.

Globe said it is currently working with both real property developers and the government to align priorities for connectivity by encouraging them to remove lease fees for in-building solutions.

Globe's share price rose by P8 to close at P2,228 apiece last August 22.