NOW Telecom Co., Inc. said it is open to partnering with new major telecommunications player Dito Telecommunity Corp. in order to expand its operations in the country.
In a statement Thursday, the affiliate of Velarde-led Now Corp. said it considers the entry of Dito Telecommunity, formerly called Mislatel consortium, as an opportunity to “liberalize” the telecommunications industry in the country.
“(Now Telecom) is determined to expand its service offerings to new geographical markets. Part of this strategy is our willingness to entertain possible partnerships with other telecommunications companies,” Now Telecom President Rodolfo P. Pantoja said in the statement.
“We are always open to explore opportunities of partnership and collaboration with other players in the industry, to both local and foreign players. The same can be said to Dito Telecommunity.”
Last Monday, President Rodrigo R. Duterte awarded Dito Telecommunity with its certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN), or permit to operate as a telco, and radio frequencies, completing the government’s search for a new major telecommunications player to challenge incumbents Smart Communications, Inc. and Globe Telecom, Inc.
Dito Telecommunity’s shareholders include China Telecommunications Corp. and Dennis A. Uy-led companies Udenna Corp. and Chelsea Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings Corp.
Sought for comment, Dito Telecommunity Spokesperson Adel A. Tamano said the company is also “open to partnerships and collaboration with our stakeholders and industry players.”
One of Now Telecom’s most recent endeavors is to deliver fifth-generation (5G) technology through a millimeter wave (mmwave), or radio frequencies in the electromagnetic spectrum.
“With the growing global popularity of mmwave for 5G, Now is confident that it can adopt new use cases, ICT applications and least-cost deployment solutions in the Philippines,” it said. — Denise A. Valdez
