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Philippines extends Belltel’s licence
05 April 2012
Regulator allows operator Belltel to offer mobile services for three more years to boost competition
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Belltel
Philippines
NTC
licence
PLDT
Digitel
The telecommunications regulator in the Philippines has granted a three-year extension to Bell Telecommunication’s mobile licence, which will help the operator improve its network and services, thereby enhancing competition in the market, according to local reports.
Belltel already has mobile licences, but has not begun rolling out its mobile operations yet. The extension is conditional on the company developing its services.
The National Telecommunications Commission told Malaya Business Insight: “In order for the applicant to expand its network and provide services to the consumers, its provisional authority is hereby extended for three years, from the date of this order, subject to the condition that its five-year rollout plan be immediately undertaken and subject further to payment.”
Following the merger of PLDT with Digitel, there are only two mobile operators in the country, which is limiting competition — the other is Globe.
NTC told Malaya Business Insight: “There is a need for another mobile operator to enter the market immediately to improve competition. In economics, it is said that competition brings the most economic benefits to the consumers.” GTB
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