Globe Telecom has advised its customers to refrain from owning and using cellular mobile repeaters, portable cell sites, or any other devices used for amplifying cellular signal for better reception.
The company stated that signal boosters sold without government approval can degrade mobile signal quality in surrounding areas, leading to network disruption and issues such as dropped calls and poor voice quality.
Joel Agustin, the senior vice president and head of network planning and engineering at Globe, acknowledges that customers in urban areas may encounter network congestion and similar issues. However, he added that the use of illegal signal repeaters as a solution is still prohibited as they ultimately worsen the overall network experience for other users. He urges Globe customers to observe and respect fair signal distribution.
Globe cited Memorandum Order No. 01-02-2013 of the National Telecommunications Commission, which prohibits the use, sale, importation, and possession of unauthorized signal boosters and related equipment, in accordance with the Public Telecommunications Policy Act.
In the past, Globe coordinated with several gadgets and electronic stores (remember CD-R King?) in prohibiting the sale of repeaters and signal boosters. Per its FAQs page on illegal repeaters, the telecom also conducts routine scanning to search for and identify these devices.
Owners of these devices may be approached by representatives from Globe and the NTC and advised to dismantle the devices. Failure to comply may result in a show cause order compelling owners to surrender these devices.
Source: Manila Standard