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Manila Bulletin devider Business devider Aboitiz subsidiary acquires 650 telco towers from PLDT for P9.2 B

Aboitiz subsidiary acquires 650 telco towers from PLDT for P9.2 B

Published Dec 20, 2022 02:26 pm

Unity Digital Infrastructure Inc., a joint venture between Aboitiz InfraCapital, Inc. (AIC) and Partners Group via portfolio company, Terra Digital Philippines Corporation, is acquiring 650 telecommunications towers worth P9.2 billion from PLDT Inc.

The digital portfolio positions the Aboitiz Group as a leader in digital infrastructure, putting it closer to its "goal of becoming the Philippines' first techglomerate," President and CEO Sabin M. Aboitiz said following the ceremonial signing on Monday, Dec. 19.

With the acquisition, Unity Digital Infrastructure will now have over 1,000 active macro towers and around 500 poles for small cells in key cities nationwide.

Unity is acquiring the telecom towers of PLDT subsidiaries Smart Communications, Inc. and Digitel Mobile Philippines in the Visayas and Mindanao areas, gaining a high-quality portfolio of strategic locations across the country.

AIC Unity-PLDT Signing Ceremony -- In photo (from Left): Aboitiz InfraCapital President and CEO Cosette V. Canilao, PLDT and Smart President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio, Aboitiz Group President and CEO Sabin M. Aboitiz, PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan, and Unity CEO Robin Sarmiento during the recent ceremonial signing event at the PLDT head office in Makati City (photo courtesy of PLDT)

"The Philippines is a rising technology powerhouse and one of Asia's fast growing digital economies," noted Andrew Kwok, Managing Director, Head Private Infrastructure Asia, Partners Group.

"However, despite the country's increasing reliance on digital technologies, it is behind other Southeast Asian countries in terms of network connectivity," he pointed out.

"We see Unity playing a key role in addressing this gap through building a tower portfolio, which is aligned with our vision of transforming it into the leading telecommunications infrastructure platform in the Philippines."

Tower infrastructure will play a crucial role in the growth of local and global digital economies over the next few years.

By building its portfolio of tower properties, Unity plans to serve as a one-stop infrastructure provider for mobile network carriers.

"Aligned with the Aboitiz Group's Great Transformation journey, acquiring these assets expands Unity’s digital footprint and presence in the country," according to Aboitiz InfraCapital President and CEO Cosette Canilao.

"This initiative will support our commitment to provide connectivity to mobile network operators, which would, in turn, advance the growth of Philippines' digital economy," she maintained.

“As a result of this partnership with Unity, we expect further enhancements to our network quality, service excellence and customer experience across Visayas and Mindanao," said PLDT and Smart President and CEO Alfredo Panlilio.

"The improved connectivity will support the digitalization of the Philippines, bringing benefits to all Filipinos,” he concluded.

Related Tags

Aboitiz Group PH TECHGLOMERATE ABOITIZ TOWER CO ACQUISITION
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