President Rodrigo Duterte has given Dito Telecommunity a fresh 25-year franchise.
Dito Telecommunity is the third major telecommunications player in the Philippines, challenging PLDT and Globe Telecom.
Dito’s congressional franchise was set to expire in April 2023.
Duterte’s Republic Act 11537 extended the franchise “for a period of twenty-five (25) years from its expiration date on April 24, 2023, unless sooner revoked or cancelled.”
With its franchise, Dito is allowed to “construct, install, establish, operate and maintain for commercial purposes and in the public interest, radio and/or television broadcasting stations” until it lapses.
Duterte’s past tirades against the Globe Telecom-PLDT telco duopoly led to a government-sanctioned bidding won by Dito Telecommunity, composed of Davao-based tycoon Dennis Uy’s Udenna Corp andChelsea Logistics Corp., and China Telecom.
Dito launched its services in selected areas this year. John Ezekiel J. Hirro