Taking off from the first consultation held last 24 January, the DICT, together with the National Telecommunications Commission, will now present the draft Memorandum Circular containing the Terms of Reference for the selection and assignment of frequencies for the new major player.
Companies that are interested in establishing a telco are required by the DICT to have a congressional franchise and must be at least 60 percent owned by Filipinos. These companies must not be connected to other major telecoms: Globe and Smart.
As their priority, the DICT develop plans for coverage and bandwidth, 5G, among others.
At least 300 participants, consisting of local telecommunication players, embassy representatives, were invited to give feedback on the draft MC before it will be finalized and take effect by March 2018.
Between the last week of May to the first week of June is the time expected for the third major telco to be named. The initial requirement of P10 billion minimum capital has been removed. DICT officer in charge Sec. Eliseo Rio Jr said that it was because the third telco can provide an efficient system at a lesser cost. The selection of the third telco will then be based on “highest committed level of service.”
The third telco is expected to cover 65% of the population after five years and will get support from the government: Facilities, and licenses among others.