Nagkasundo ang magkaribal na telecommunications companies na PLDT, mobile subsidiary nitong Smart, at DITO Telecommunity na magbahagi ng networks at iba pang resources sa layuning palawakin ang coverage sa bansa.
Lumagda ang mga kumpanya sa memorandum of understanding (MOU) na magtatakda ng framework para sa collaboration sa tatlong pangunahing bahagi ng telecommunications infrastructure, ayon kay PLDT chair at chief executive officer Manuel V. Pangilinan.
Sa ilalim ng kasunduan, bibigyan ng mga kumpanya ang isa’t isa ng reciprocal rights para gamitin ang eligible towers, in-building solutions, o telecommunications infrastructure sa indoor areas, at submarine cable capacity sa pamamagitan ng Indefeasible Right of Use arrangements.
“Connecting the country is a responsibility that we all share as Philippine telcos. This agreement reflects that, even as we compete in the marketplace, we can collaborate where it matters the most: Accelerating digital inclusion, helping connect every Filipino, and creating greater opportunities for our people and our nation,” sabi ni Pangilinan.
Ayon kay Pangilinan, palalawakin ng partnership ang network coverage, palalakasin ang service reliability, at maghahatid ng mas magandang connectivity experience para sa customers ng dalawang panig sa buong bansa.
“May this partnership usher in and blossom into many more things so that we can have meaningful results for our companies, and more importantly, for the betterment of services for all our respective customers,” sabi niya.
Dagdag ni Pangilinan, makatutulong ang partnership para masulit ang existing macro sites at in-building facilities at mabawasan ang duplication ng network investments.
“This enables the companies to deploy capital more efficiently, accelerate network expansion, and deliver broader coverage and more reliable connectivity for Filipino consumers while supporting a more resilient and future-ready telecommunications ecosystem,” sabi niya.
Inilarawan naman ni DITO president at chief executive officer Eric Alberto ang MOU bilang “modest” at “first step that could usher in deeper cooperation.”
“This allows both companies to deliver much better services for all our respective customers,” sabi ni Alberto. /Bistado