DITO sets launch, links with PLDT

DITO provides a minimum average broadband speed of 85.9 megabits per second for 4G and 507.5Mbps for 5G

DITO Telecommunity Corp. (DITO) is ready to break the telecommunications duopoly in the Philippines through its much-awaited commercial launch in two weeks.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, DITO chief administrator Adel Tamano disclosed that the startup telco will initially launch its services on 8 March in Mindanao to honor the company’s origin.

DITO was formerly called Mindanao Islamic Telephone (MISLATEL).

Relatedly, telecommunications giant PLDT Inc. announced a deal with DITO to build a transmission facility that would serve as an interconnection point for their subscribers.

The facility is eyed for completion by the end of March. PLDT would use its technology and expertise to help deliver the intercarrier requirements of DITO — benefitting all fixed DITO.

DITO consortium is composed of Dennis Uy’s Udenna Corp., its subsidiary Chelsea Logistics Holdings Inc., which owns 60 percent of the firm and state-owned China Telecommunications Corp., which owns the remaining 40 percent.

“We want the public to know that on 8 March this year, we will be having our commercial launch. (It’s a) phased launch — first in Mindanao. We will make ourselves available (regionally) starting with Davao and Cebu,” Tamano told reporters.

“By 8 March, 17 cities and nearby municipalities in Mindanao and Visayas will have DITO telco services,” he added.

DITO did not disclose which specific cities and municipalities would first experience the new telco.

Competitive deals

The company also refused to disclose its internet packages but guaranteed that it would be “competitive” in the market.

Despite the gradual rollout, Tamano assured its internet services will be available nationwide by the second quarter of the year.

“DITO is currently constructing 20 physical retail stores at different stages. By March, around 10 to 20 stores should be ready in Mindanao and Visayas,” Tamano said.

Tamano likewise affirmed DITO’s readiness for a second technical audit, which will happen on 8 July or 4 months after its first launch.

The third telco passed its first technical audit, breaching both its internet speed and population coverage commitment for the first year.

The auditor said DITO provides a minimum average broadband speed of 85.9 megabits per second (Mbps) for 4G and 507.5Mbps for 5G.

The company’s first-year coverage reached 37.48 percent or 37 million households based on the 2015 population data. The reach covered a total of 8,860 barangays.