A notice for WISP Operators and people using Outdoor Wireless Equipment

Inputs from Sāntillān Ðāns and Pizzadox Blade

I have been receiving private messages about the NTC regulations and what permit to obtain in
order to operate a legitimate hotspot service.
Before I post the required permits, let me clarify the DO's and DONT's and what really is meant by
"license-free spectrum"
What is an unlicensed spectrum?
There are numerous frequency bands or spectrum that has been opened for public use which do no
require license from the radio regulatory board such as the NTC, and one of which is the ISM band,
the ISM stands for "Industrial, Scientific and Medical" there are many devices in these fields uses a
band which also includes the 2.4Ghz spectrum., technically, if you use a 2.4Ghz using a device for
Industrial, Scientific and Medical purposes, you do not need a license for it. HOWEVER, if you use a
device that is not ISM in nature such as wifi or any form of telecommunication devices, then you
MUST adhere to the radio regulatory agency.
The reason why you must follow the rules when using a 2.4ghz wireless device,
1. You might interfere with the ISM devices, i.e. devices used in hospitals, industrial (case in point
merlaco's monitoring system using the 2.4ghz), would you like to kill someone in the hospital
because your wireless device is interfering with hospital's monitoring equipment of the patient?
2. 2.4Ghz is only license free for ISM purposes and short range communication, and since the
2.4ghz falls under the ISM license free band, the use of wireless networking is shared with the same
band, it somehow frees the wireless network devices from licence HOWEVER, you must adhere to
the regulated EIRP power designated by the NTC.
3. You are free to use the 2.4Ghz and some portion of 5Ghz for use in your home / office / business
establishment provided that IT MUST BE CONTAINED within your premises, and you can achieve
that by lowering the transmit power of your network devices, and that is the very reason why you
need a Type-Approved certificate from the NTC for your wireless network devices.
4. 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz network devices ARE NOT ISM Devices, they belong to NON-ISM which must
adhere to NTC regulations.
5. Buy your Network Wireless Devices from NTC Accredited Sellers, these sellers went through the
NTC scrutiny of seller's business background, you can be sure that the seller has been granted by
the NTC to conduct a business engaging in trading/selling/services of WDN's
6. So as concerns with 2.4ghz and 5Ghz Bands, Before you can purchase these equipment . A client
who wants to purchase any wireless outdoor device MUST apply for a PERMIT TO PURCHASE
(permit to purchase of any Type Approved Wireless Device by NTC) from NTC office.
After applying, the client will bring the said Permit and OR to the supplier.
The supplier shall then can sell the equipment (Type Approved) to the client. And must include an
OR, Dealer's Permit and Type Approve Certificate to the client.
After the client will bring all these documents to NTC to apply for the following: For NTC Lincese:
1. Permit to Purchase
2. Filing Fee
3. Permit to Possess
4. Construction Permit (Construction for Tower)
5. Radio Station License (RSL for your AP)
6. Inspection Fee
7. Spectrum User's Fee
And then include an Engineering Plan for your said Network and should be signed by a PECE and
Certified Wireless Network Engineer.
This is per Equipment and per year.
Fee is Minimal, less than 2,000 per AP or Radio and renewal for the next year is very minimal too.
Once you do all of this, you are free to setup any hotspot service you want, but note, you need a
VAS License to be able to Sell Wireless Internet Service.