Dito: No delay in network rollout

MANILA, Philippines — Third telco player Dito Telecommunity said there are no delays in its network rollout, assuring the public that it is capable of meeting its commitments as a new major telecommunications player.

“There is no truth to reports that the much anticipated roll-out of Dito Telecommunity will be delayed due to issues regarding permits,” said Chelsea Logistics and Infrastructure Holdings Corp., one of the companies that is part of Dito. 

“We want the public to know that in the following days, there will be more exciting news about the progress of Dito Telecommunity,” Chelsea said.

Top officials of Dito, led by its chief executive officer Dennis Uy, was called to a closed-door discussion by Information and Communications Technology Secretary Gregorio Honasan late last month to discuss the status of its rollout program.

Honasan called the meeting as “DICT was concerned about the capability of Dito to fulfill its commitments” with the looming July 2020 government-mandated deadline for its initial commitments as a major telecommunications player.

“We have met with DICT Secretary Gregorio Honasan recently to update him on our timeline and rollout and based on direct feedback, we are happy to say that he was satisfied with our progress to finally bring world class internet to the Filipinos they truly deserve,” Chelsea said.

“In addition, Secretary Honasan also pledged to assist through efforts of the DICT to help secure permits faster to hasten the rollout,” it said.

Dito, a consortium composed of state-owned China Telecom and Uy’s Udenna Corp. and Chelsea, received its certificate of public convenience and necessity from the National Telecommunications Commission in July 2019 to operate as the country’s third major telco.

It has committed to cover 37 percent of the population and provide 27 mbps minimum average internet speed in year one of its five-year commitment period.