NTC seeks industry input on fifth 3G licence tender plan

Filipino telecoms watchdog the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has given the domestic telecoms industry ten days to submit comments on its draft proposal to auction off the fifth and final 3G licence in the Philippines. The new draft will replace the regulator’s so-called ‘30-point’ ranking system used in awarding the earlier licences. The NTC awarded 3G licences to Smart Communications, Globe Telecom, Digital Mobile Philippines and Connectivity Unlimited Resources Enterprises, (CURE) in January 2006. Smart has since acquired CURE. Last year, the NTC published a memo outlining the new rules on the tender award for the fifth licence. Under the draft, companies would only be expected to pass legal, financial and technical criteria.