Government confirms Mislatel consortium as 3rd telco

MANILA, Philippines — The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has confirmed the consortium of Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy and state-owned China Telecommunications Corp. as the third telco player, with the government giving assurance that the choice had nothing to do with Uy and China’s ties with President Duterte.

The NTC yesterday issued a new major player confirmation order to the group of Udenna Corp., Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp., China Telecom and Mindanao Islamic Telephone Co. Inc., known as the Mislatel consortium.

In its order, the full commission said the status of new major player is ruled in favor of the Mislatel group given the absence of any of the grounds to withhold confirmation “after a review and deliberation of the New Major Player-Selection Committee Resolution No. 2018-11-01 and its supporting documents.”

With the confirmation order, the Mislatel consortium has 90 days starting today to submit to the NTC the necessary documents and required performance security for the issuance of its Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN).

“They have to really formalize their organization, register with Securities and Exchange Commission and SEC has to approve their consortium that it can operate in the Philippines and it does not violate any law in the Philippines. Also, they need some approval from the Philippine Competition Commission, National Economic and Development Authority and National Security Adviser for background check on the consortium members. They will also have to submit their rollout plan, that is also important,” acting Information and Communications Technology Secretary Eliseo Rio said.