MANILA – Filipino-Chinese consortium Mislatel promised “faster and cheaper” internet after regulators confirmed it as the country’s third telco player.
One of the partners, China Telecom, signed a letter of intent to study the feasibility of using the Department of Information and Communications Technology’s (DCIT) submarine cable landing station with its own facilities.
The Filipino partner, Udenna Corp. chairman Dennis Uy, said on Tuesday that Mislatel “will work hard for better, cheaper telecommunications.”
“This is just the start of our collaboration here,” said China Telecom chairman Yang Jie.
Acting DICT secretary Eliso Rio said the submarine facilities could be used by other telcos, not just Mislatel.
Mislatel pledged to provide 27 mbps on its first year and 55 mbps on its second year, bringing internet speed close to that in Singapore.
“One of the best ways Mislatel can comply with its commitments is to use all existing facilities and services of the other small players. The NMP will spur business for small telcos and last mile links like CATV operators,” he said.
Mislatel secured “provisional” third telco rights on Nov. 7 after regulators disqualified two of its rivals, Philippine Telegraph and Telephone Corp. (PT&T) and Sear, which involves former Ilocos Sur governor Luis “Chavit” Singson.
The consortium was given ninety days to submit related documents including – congressional approval of its franchise; registration from the Securities and Exchange Commission; approval of the Philippine Competition Commission of its bidding agreement implementation; posting of the performance security bond and its rollout plan for the entire commitment period for the processing of its Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) by the NTC.
It said it expects to be able to start its commercial operations within a year and a half (18 months) of the issuance of its CPCN. (With reports from ABS-CBN and Philippine News Agency/PN)
