Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First Regular Session 
HOUSE BILL NO. ____ 
Introduced by HON. LUIS RAYMUND “LRAY” F. VILLAFUERTE, JR. 
EXPLANATORY NOTE 
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. 
May 23, 2023
5:18 pm
8322


Republic of the Philippines 
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
Quezon City 
NINETEENTH CONGRESS 
First 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."  
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;
8322


 
(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) 
ICT Sector 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 
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,