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Communications in the Philippines

See: Telephones - main lines in use: 1.9 million (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular: 1.959 million (1998), estimated 14 million (2003)

Telephone system: good international radiotelephone and submarine cable services; domestic and interisland service adequate
domestic: domestic satellite system with 11 earth stations
international: 9 international gateways; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (1 Indian Ocean and 2 Pacific Ocean); submarine cables to Hong Kong, Guam, Singapore, Taiwan, and Japan

Radio broadcast stations: AM 366, FM 290, shortwave 3 (1999)

Radios: 11.5 million (1997)

Television broadcast stations: 31 (1997)

Televisions: 3.7 million (1997)

Internet Service Providers (ISPs): 93 (1999)

Country code (Top level domain): PH

1930s

During this period, most of the principal towns and cities of the Philippines were linked by telephone, telegraph, and/or radio. The entire region was connected by the government postal service.

The Philippines Long Distance Telephone Company, an American company, connected Manila with the important centers on Luzon, as well as centers on Cebu, Mindanao, Negros, and Panay. There were 40 provincial government telephone systems, and most towns and villages had at least one telephone connected to Manila.

Cable connected Manila with Guam, Hong Kong, and Shanghai and the Philippines also possessed four transoceanic radio stations.

Republic Acts affecting Telecommunications

'August 10, 1963': 3846, An act providing for the regulation of radio stations and radio communications in the Philippine Islands, and for other

'December 21, 1989': 6849, An act providing for the installation, operation and maintenance of public telephones in each and every municipality in the Philippines, appropriating funds therefor and for other purposes

'March 1, 1995': 7925, An act to promote and govern the development of Philippine telecommunications and the delivery of public telecommunications services