Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
ENCOURAGING AND PROMOTING THE USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF 
SATELLITE-BASED TECHNOLOGIES FOR INTERNET CONNECTIVITY 
This proposed measure aims to improve internet access in the country by promoting 
investment in the ICT sector and expanding the existing digital infrastructure that will 
ensure universal access to the internet such as satellite-based internet technologies. 
Better information and communications technology (ICT) infrastructure can have 
lasting impact on the delivery of basic services, education, health, trade, finance, 
disaster preparedness, and public safety. Through this proposed measure, Internet 
Service Providers may directly access available satellite-based technologies and 
need not wait for infrastructure to be set up. 
Our broadband infrastructure is lacking owing to the fact that it is challenging and 
more expensive to build them in the islands or mountains with small populations. This 
is why we should aim to explore technologies such as satellite-based internet 
technologies. Satellite-based internet technology is already a proven internet 
technology to provide internet services especially in areas where putting up wired or 
mobile networks can be challenging.  
In view of the foregoing, passage of this bill is earnestly sought. 
LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
July 3, 2021
4:07 am
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Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
EIGHTEENTH CONGRESS 
Second Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
AN ACT 
ENCOURAGING AND PROMOTING THE USE AND DEVELOPMENT OF 
SATELLITE-BASED TECHNOLOGIES FOR INTERNET CONNECTIVITY 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in 
Congress assembled: 
SECTION 1. Short Title. – This Act shall be known as the "Satellite-Based 
Technologies for Internet Connectivity Act of 2021."  
SEC. 2. Declaration of Policy. – It shall be declared the policy of the State to promote 
broad and inclusive access to satellite technology for reliable and affordable internet 
services, which are crucial for stimulating economic growth, providing opportunities 
for decent employment in the countryside, and improving educational results. 
Towards these objectives, the State shall liberalize access to satellite-based services 
and hasten the expansion of broadband infrastructure, especially in places unserved 
or underserved by conventional wired and cellular mobile networks, and bring reliable 
internet service to all Filipinos anywhere in the country. 
SEC. 3. Definition of Terms. – For the purposes of this Act, the term: 
(a) Core Services shall refer to circuit switched voice services rendered over cellular
mobile, fixed line (local exchange), and inter-exchange facilities;
(b) Direct Access shall mean direct dealings between authorized or permitted entities 
and satellite system providers at any segment or all levels of their broadband 
network;
(c) ICTSector shall mean those engaged in providing goods and services primarily 
intended to fulfill or enable the function of information processing and communication 
by electronic means. The ICT Sector includes telecommunications and broadcast 
information operators, ICT equipment manufacturers, multimedia content developers 
and providers, ICT solution providers, internet service providers, ICT training 
institutions, software developers and ICT-ES providers, and other ICT and ICT-ES 
providers
(d) ICT-Enabled Sector or ICT-ES shall mean those engaged in providing services 
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that require the intrinsic use of ICTs including engineering or architectural design, 
informatics service providers, offshoring and outsourcing service providers such as 
call centers, back office processing, software development, medical or legal 
transcription, animation, game development, and other services that require the 
intrinsic use of a networked information infrastructure. 
(e) Internet Service Providers (ISP) shall refer to organizations that provide services 
for accessing, using, or participating in the Internet, whether as commercial, 
community-owned, non-profit, or private-owned organizations; 
(f) Permitted Entities shall refer to: (i) Enfranchised public telecommunications entities 
(PTEs) duly authorized by the NTC to provide internet services; and (ii) Value-Added 
Service (VAS) providers and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) duly registered with 
the NTC, whether with or without a legislative franchise.  
(g) Satellite-based technologies shall refer to technologies that employ infrastructure 
and/or mechanisms related to artificial satellites; 
(h) Value-Added Service (VAS) providers shall refer to providers of non-Core 
services; 
(i) Very-small-aperture terminal (VSAT) shall refer to a two-way satellite ground 
station with a dish antenna, typically not more than four (4) meters, and whose 
technical specifications the Department of Information and Communications 
Technology (DICT) may further define. 
 
SEC. 4. Additional mandate to the Department of Information and Communications 
Technology (DICT). – To expand access to satellite-based technologies as an 
alternative connectivity solution to ensure universal access to the internet, the DICT 
shall: 
 
(1) Exercise regulatory and administrative jurisdiction over ISPs and satellite policies;  
(2) Adopt an expeditious administrative process for the registration of ISPs, whether 
local or foreign; for this purpose, the registration of, and jurisdiction over, ISPs is 
hereby transferred from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to the 
DICT; 
(3) Pursue policies to secure necessary orbital slots for Philippine satellite(s); 
(4) Work with relevant agencies to encourage the commercial development of 
technologies complementary to satellites-based technologies; 
(5) Create a coherent spectrum management policy which include radio frequency 
spectrum for satellite systems; 
(6) Conduct annual policy review together with relevant stakeholders and concerned 
government agencies with consideration of different opportunities and challenges that 
satellite internet brings; 
(7) Identify areas that are underserved and unserved by traditional broadband 
network operators and where the use of satellite-based internet can be maximized;  
(8) Issue rules and regulations on the development, use, and maintenance of 
satellite-based technology; and 
(9) Perform such other functions as may be relevant to its work as the principal 
regulatory and development agency for satellite technology. 
 
SEC. 5. Policy on the Use of Satellite Technology for Internet Connectivity. – The 
government shall promote the use and development of satellite services as a means 
to ensure universal access to the internet, especially in critical areas such as 
e-government and the delivery of basic services, education, health, trade, finance, 


 
 
disaster preparedness, and public safety. Specifically: 
 
(a) To promote the expansion of satellite-based networks, particularly in rural areas, 
and in areas with limited fixed or cellular mobile network connectivity, VAS providers 
and ISPs shall be allowed direct access to all satellite systems—whether fixed or 
mobile, international or domestic—for all segments of the broadband network. VAS 
providers and ISPs shall be allowed to directly access, utilize, own and operate 
networks for internet access service utilizing satellite technologies such as VSAT and 
other similar technologies for all segments of the broadband network without need of 
a franchise and a provisional authority or Certificate of Public Convenience and 
Necessity (CPCN) from the NTC. VAS providers and ISPs shall, however, comply 
with existing policies requiring registration of VAS and ISP offerings and submission 
of their schedule of rates; 
(b) To invite investment and the propagation of new internet technologies in the ICT 
and ICT-enabled sector, ISPs and VAS Providers may be 100% foreign-owned. ISPs 
and VAS providers shall, however, comply with the policies of the DICT for the 
registration of ISPs and VAS Providers. 
(c) The NTC and DICT shall comply with international regulations on the allocation 
and use of frequency for satellite services, and shall not re-allocate them to the 
detriment of users of VSAT or other satellite technologies. The NTC and DICT shall 
ensure the availability of satellite frequencies for the use of VAS providers and ISPs. 
The NTC shall, within thirty (30) days upon the effectivity of this Act, issue the rules 
and regulations necessary for the implementation of portions of this paragraph that 
require administrative and regulatory oversight. Provided, That Section 7 of this Act 
shall be immediately executory upon the effectivity of this Act. 
 
SEC. 6. Direct Access to Satellite Systems. – Permitted Entities are allowed to (i) 
deploy satellite technology and use associated spectrum in any or all segments of 
their broadband network without needing to go through, lease or rent capacity for 
such from PTEs, and (ii) apply with the NTC for permission to use spectrum for this 
purpose. PTEs, VAS Providers, and ISPs may directly access, utilize, own and 
operate facilities for internet access service using satellite technologies such as, but 
not limited to, VSAT, Broadband Global Area Network and other similar technologies, 
for all segments of the broadband network without need of a Congressional franchise. 
 
Prior authorization of either the DICT (for broadband networks) or the NTC (for 
broadcast providers and for services that do not involve broadband networks) shall 
not be required for direct access to satellite systems under this provision provided 
that the terms and conditions, which include levels of access to any international fixed 
or mobile satellite system, shall be submitted by the Permitted Entities to the DICT or 
NTC, as applicable, for record purposes. 
 
SEC. 7. Promotion of Satellite-based Technologies for Sustainable Development and 
Inclusive Growth. – Government organizations, public and non-profit private 
institutions, volunteer organizations engaged in education, health, finance, agriculture, 
environmental management, climate change management, disaster preparedness 
and crisis response shall be allowed to own and operate satellite-based technology in 
order to aid and augment their activities. 
 
The NTC shall, within thirty (30) days upon the effectivity of this Act, establish an 


 
 
expeditious administrative process to allow such entities to apply for permits to import 
and or own such technology. The Anti-Red Tape Authority (ARTA) shall ensure that 
the procedures set forth by the NTC pursuant to this Section complies with Republic 
Act No. 9485, or the Anti-Red Tape Act of 2007. 
 
SEC. 8. Appropriation. – The amount necessary for the implementation of this Act 
shall be charged against available funds of the DICT and NTC, as may be applicable. 
Thereafter, the amount shall be included in the General Appropriations Act. 
 
SEC. 9. Implementing Rules and Regulations. Unless otherwise stated, the DICT, in 
coordination with the NTC, and in consultation with relevant groups and sectors, shall 
issue the implementing rules and regulations ("IRRs") within sixty (60) days upon the 
effectivity of this Act. The IRRs shall incorporate the provisions of NTC Memorandum 
Circular Nos. 04-03-99 and 01-03-2008 in so far as practicable and in furtherance to 
the objectives of this Act. 
 
SEC. 10. Repealing Clause. – Provisions of Executive Order Nos. 467 (s. 1998) and 
127 (s. 2021) that are inconsistent with this Act are hereby repealed or modified 
accordingly. All other laws, decrees, rules and regulations inconsistent with the 
provisions of this Act are hereby repealed or amended accordingly. 
 
SEC. 11. Separability Clause. – If, for any reason, any part or provision of this Act is 
declared invalid or unconstitutional, any part or provision not affected thereby shall 
remain in full force and effect. 
 
SEC. 12. Effectivity. – This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its complete 
publication in at least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
 
Approved,