Pres. Duterte grants DITO a 25-year franchise

President Rodrigo Duterte has granted a 25-year franchise to the country’s third telco player DITO Telecommunity.

Duterte has approved Republic Act 11537, renewing the franchise of Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company, Inc, presently known as DITO Telecommunity Corporation.

DITO’s current franchise is set to expire in April 2023. According to the signed law, the franchise shall be extended and in effect for a period of 25 years from its expiration on April 24, 2023, unless sooner revoked or canceled.

The law allows the telco to “construct, install, establish, operate wire and/or wireless telecommunications systems,” in the country for another 25 years.

Furthermore, under the law, the telco is mandated to secure permits and licenses from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) for its facilities’ construction, installation, and operation.

DITO Telecommunity Corporation is a telecom consortium of Udenna Corp owned by Davao City businessman Dennis Uy. Its subsidiaries are Chelsea Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings Corp. and China Telecom.

To recall, DITO launched its commercial service in key areas in the Visayas and Mindanao in March 2021. However, it has recently added NCR to its list of covered areas.

If you want to know more about DITO’s setup, speed test, promo, and more, head over to this link.

Source: Official Gazette