QuestionsQuestions (NTC MEMORANDUM CIRCULAR NO. 16-11-2004)
No person, firm, association, or corporation may offer the two-year Communications Technician Course without first securing a Certificate of Accreditation from the NTC.
Key administrative requirements include: Letter of Intent; information sheets of the Board of Directors (for corporations); feasibility study on required capitalization; proof of financial capability; proof of ownership (SEC Articles for corporations or DTI business registration for single proprietors); business permit; proposed course curriculum; class programs/timetables; list of instructors and applications for Permit to Teach; proof of ownership of lot/building or valid lease contract.
Technical requirements include: laboratory and test equipment; textbooks and magazines; Permit to Purchase; Permit to Possess; Construction Permit; Radio Station License; and Accreditation Certificate.
The course is a two (2)-year Communications Technician Course.
Graduates may qualify to take the First Class Radiotelephone Operator’s examination conducted by the NTC.
Examples of minimum subjects include: (1) elementary principles of electricity; (2) practical operation/adjustment/repairs of radiotelephone, broadcast and telecommunications equipment; (3) radio laws and regulations (local and international); (4) antenna fundamentals and types; (5) computer fundamentals; (6) operation of portable/mobile/point-to-point radio equipment; and more as enumerated in Section IV.
At least 240 hours of on-the-job training.
Lecture instructions: class must not exceed 35 students. Practical/laboratory groups: maximum of 6 students per group.
Classrooms must be at least 42 square meters for 35 students and equipped with necessary required facilities, including a whiteboard/blackboard or flipchart and an overhead projector (and audiovisual materials when needed).
The circular enumerates equipment such as: oscilloscopes (3); signal generators (3); multi-testers (7); soldering irons (7); spectrum analyzer (3); computer sets (3); AM/FM, SSB, DSB trainer kit (1); telephone trainer kit (1); antenna trainer kit (1); telecommunications switchboard (1); frequency filter trainer kit (1); PAM/PCM/TDM trainer kit (1); signal tracer (1); tone generator (1).
An individual qualified includes: (1) graduates of electrical/electronics/radio engineering courses from universities or schools of good standing; (2) holders of the BSE degree with at least two years of specialized knowledge/training; (3) duly licensed first/second class radiotelephone/radiotelegraph operators with at least five years of satisfactory service; or (4) persons in government service as technical inspector with at least three years experience.
Yes. All radio communications equipment used for training must be covered with a radio station license. Licensed radio operators must only operate duly licensed radio stations.
Renewal must be filed three (3) months before expiration.
If there is non-filing of application for renewal, the Commission shall not recognize the diploma/certificate issued for training conducted after the expiration of the Certificate of Accreditation or License.
Grounds include: failure to comply with requirements in Section II; failure to comply with existing radio laws/regulations affecting RTS; non-compliance with standards in the circular; and non-payment of required fees.
Examples: illegal purchase/possession of radio transceiver (PHP 2,500.00 per unit); illegal installation without appropriate permit (PHP 4,000.00 per violation with forfeiture of equipment); illegal operation with/without appropriate permits (PHP 4,000.00 or PHP 5,000.00 respectively, with forfeiture in certain cases); operating without valid Certificate of Accreditation and radio station license (PHP 4,000.00 per violation).