In 1995, NTC granted PhilCom, a subsidiary/affiliate of Philippine Global Communications Inc, an authority to operate an international gateway, and a provisional authority to construct, install, operate and maintain basic and enhanced facilities for the provision of LEC (local exchange carrier) services in various provinces of Mindanao.
Subsequently, it was given the authority to operate as an inter-exchange carrier (IXC) within its assigned areas in 1997.
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 Telecom, Smart and Islacom, exceeded the NTC’s 80 percent minimum compliance requirement.
As of September 2001, PhilCom had completed 86 percent of its committed installed lines and covered about 90 percent of its committed service areas.
So far, PhilCom has installed 14 fully equipped and terminated local exchanges, regional inter-exchange backbone in 11 microwave relay stations, and five wireless local loop (WLL) systems with full coverage of PhilCom’s service areas. Also, over 354 PCO lines were installed in 71 municipalities.
PhilCom’s chief executive officer Vicente Jayme Jr. said, "To PhilCom’s new management team, the CPCN grant is a further challenge and a bigger responsibility to provide our customers enhanced products and services. The team is committed to hold the line and play its role in the development of Mindanao."