Aboitiz unit eyes towerco business

THE government’s push for common telco towers continues to lure investors with Aboitiz InfraCapital on Thursday the latest firm seeking to join the business.

The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) sealed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Aboitiz Equities Ventures infrastructure unit, which joined IHS Towers, Malaysia-based edotco Group, ISOC Infrastructures, Singapore’s ISON ECP Tower Pte. Ltd., China Energy Engineering Corp. and Malaysia’s RT Telecom as potential

providers.

Under the MoU, the government will provide support, in terms of facilitating government permits for the deployment of towers, once companies secure deals with a telco.

In a statement, Aboitiz InfraCapital expressed optimism over its capability to support the government’s vision of building 50,000 towers.

“The Aboitiz group possesses extensive experience in building and operating utility networks, for example, through its distribution utilities Visayan Electric Co. Inc. ( VECO) and Davao Light and Power Co., Inc. (DLPC). Moreover, the Aboitiz group has established a strong track record on the management and execution of complex projects,” Aboitiz InfraCapital Chief Operating Officer Cosette Canilao was quoted as saying.

The company also noted that sister firm AboitizPower could extend assistance in delivering power for the cell sites.

The DICT decided to open the local market to tower companies (towercos) late last year in lieu of the common tower policy — pushed by Presidential Adviser Ramon P. Jacinto — that called for just two companies during the first four years of implementation.