NTC gives permanent license to PhilCom

The National Telecommunications Commission issued last July 22 a certificate of public convenience and necessity (CPCN) to PhilCom Corp.

In 1995, NTC granted PhilCom, a subsidiary/affiliate of Philippine Global Communications, Inc., an authorized international gateway facility provider, a provisional authority to construct, install, operate and maintain new, basic and enhanced facilities for the provision of LEC services in various provinces of Mindanao. Subsequently, it was given the authority to operate as an Inter-Exchanger (IXC) in 1997 within its assigned areas.

PhilCom was granted a permanent license after it successfully demonstrated its legal, financial and technical capabilities in operating and maintaining international gateway facilities and landline systems. PhilCom, along with other carriers such as Globe, Smart, Islacom and others, exceeded the 80 percent minimum compliance requirement by the NTC.

As of September 2001, PhilCom has completed 86 percent of its committed installed lines and about 90 percent of its committed service areas.

PhilCom has so far completed installation of 14 fully-equipped and terminated local exchanges, regional inter-exchange (IXC) backbone in 11 microwave relay stations, five wireless local loop (WLL) systems with full coverage of PhilCom’s service area. Also, over 354 PCO lines were installed in 71 municipalities.