Piltel considers 3G launch

Pilipino Telephone Corp (Piltel), a unit of mobile operator Smart Communications which is itself owned by Filipino powerhouse Philippine Long Distance Telephone (PLDT), is mulling plans to enter the highly competitive domestic 3G market. Piltel has reportedly sent a letter to the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), stating its interest in securing the fifth and final 3G frequency bandwidth. The NTC has reserved bands 1965MHz-1975MHz, 2155MHz-2165MHz and 1890MHz-1900MHz/1970MHz-1980MHz and Piltel is keen to use this spectrum to roll out Long-Term Evolution (LTE) technology in the medium term. ‘Piltel will adapt the LTE technology to upgrade its existing network capacity and capabilities to enable the delivery of richer and more compelling services,’ said Piltel regulatory and telecom industry relations head Roy Ibay. LTE Release 1 operates in the 1920MHz-1980MHz/2110MHz-2170MHz, which coincides with the remaining 3G frequency band available, he added.