Third telco Dito ready to roll out by July

MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has received assurance from top executives of Dito Telecommunity about the group’s ability to carry out its commitments by July.

Information and Communications Technology Secretary Gregorio Honasan called yesterday to a closed-door discussion the executives of Dito to discuss the status of the telco’s roll out program.

The meeting, which was attended by Dito chief executive officer Dennis Uy, chief administrative officer Adel Tamano, and chief technology officer Rodolfo Santiago, was requested by Honasan in line with the looming July 2020 government-mandated deadline for the initial commitments of the country’s third major telecommunications player.

“DICT was concerned about the capability of Dito to fulfill its commitments as July is six months away,” Honasan said.

“However, based on our discussions, I am satisfied that given the updates by the three top executives, Dito is on its way to deliver on its promise of cheaper and more efficient service to the subscribing public,” he said.

According to the DICT, among the updates reported by Dito to the agency were tower building activities, secured deals for infrastructure development, construction updates on network operations centers, rollout of crucial infrastructure, as well as projected timetables.

Honasan urged the new telco player to keep the DICT updated on all developments as the agency wants to ensure that Dito delivers on its promises.

Dito, formerly known as Mislatel, received its certificate of public convenience and necessity from the National Telecommunications Commission in July 2019 to operate as the country’s third major telco.

The consortium composed of China Telecom and Uy’s Udenna Corp. and Chelsea Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings Corp. has committed to cover 37 percent of the population and provide 27 mbps minimum average internet speed in year one of its five-year commitment period.

Its end goal is to increase basic internet speed to 55 mbps and cover 84 percent of the country’s population over a five-year period through a total of P257 billion investment.

“As we have been assuring the public, we are on track to meet our year-one commitment to the government and to the Filipino people to provide world-class telecommunications services,” Tamano said on Dito’s behalf.

As the country’s new major player, Dito is expected to break the so-called duopoly in the telco industry led by industry giants PLDT and Globe. The launch of its network is targeted this year.