The launch of the Philippines new third player DITO (formerly Mislatel) is “on track” in spite of the Covid-19 pandemic.
While the current crisis has prompted a lockdown of the Luzon region, the Philippines’ Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) confirmed that the operator was set to meet its network deployment targets in order to comply with its licence terms.
DICT undersecretary Eliseo Rio confirmed that DITO has not asked to extend the deadline – currently set for July – by which it must achieve 37% coverage with data speeds of up to 27Mbps. Rio noted that DITO was able to continue deployment despite the lockdown as telecom operators fall under the category of essential service providers.
DITO, which is a joint venture between China Telecom, Udenna and Chelsea Logistics Holdings (with each partner respectively holding 40%, 35% and 25%), aims to begin commercial operations in March 2021.