MANILA, July 3 (PNA) — Government-owned People’s Television (PTV) Network and the Department of Science and Technology – Information and Communications Technology Office (DOST-ICTO) recently inked an agreement for a 25-year co-location deal, aiming to enhance the free wi-fi program.
In the said agreement, PTV Network will occupy spaces in ICTO’s broadcast-ready offices and buildings in Cebu and at least 11 other cities in Visayas and Mindanao.
ICTO will install wi-fi transceivers on PTV’s broadcast towers, thus boosting the reach of its free wi-fi project especially in third and sixth class municipalities.
The government noted that the collaboration entails no cost to both parties, while the agreement would also mean extending the TV station’s reach.
PTV Network started its modernization plan in 2014 with a capital expenditure budget of Php759 million from the General Appropriations Act, with migrating from analog to digital broadcast system as priority. This year, the network will procure additional digital equipment and will acquire additional lots for establishment of digital transmitting stations.
Meanwhile, the deal is part of the network’s five-year modernization plan to be at par with the leading commercial TV stations in terms of capabilities and equipment.
Moreover, the said deal resulted to Php892 million savings in the network’s 2015 capital expenditure.
Wider reach
Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma said that with the DOST’s properties, the government will be able to install additional transmitters to boost the government station’s presence in the countryside, while also supporting the free wi-fi program.
“This is a welcome development in the government’s goal to reach Filipinos all over the country,” he said.
From 20 percent, the station’s digital upgrade would improve the signal reach to about 80-90 percent of TV viewers in the country
”The government will be able to connect with our bosses all over the country through television and through online,” emphasized Coloma.
He added that this modernization will allow the station to provide quality programming and online services to every Juan. (PNA)