PLDT acquires Maranao Telephone

Telecommunications leader Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) announced yesterday that it has completed the acquisition of Maranao Telephone Co. Inc. (MaranaoTel) in Iligan City, Lanao del Norte.

MaranaoTel, which has a franchise to operate in the province of Lanao del Norte and the cities of Iligan and Marawi, has been in operation for 50 years. It has more than 15,000 subscribers and a switch capacity of 32,000 digital lines.

PLDT president and chief executive officer Manuel V. Pangilinan said this acquisition will enable MaranaoTel’s customers to enjoy the full range of PLDT’s products and services.

He said the acquisition also underscores PLDT’s commitment to expand the reach of its fixed line network and to maintain the company status as the nation’s leading telecommunications group.

At present, MaranaoTel offers basic telephone, Internet, leased lines, and facsimile service to its customers. Other services offered include direct dial long distance calls available in various public calling offices (PCOs) in its area as well as a host of new and innovative features like caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding, ring again or call back, electronic lock or phone lock, call hunting, remote call forwarding, call pickup, malicious call trace, hotline, do not disturb, and call barring.

Prepaid cards of PLDT, Smart, and Mobiline are also available in the business office and PCOs.

With a foothold established in Iligan City, the viability of PDLT’s existing toll network in Mindanao is expected to improve. At present, it operates telephone exchanges in the cities of Davao, Cotabato, Zamboanga, and Ozamis serving around 85,600 customers.