NTC defends 3G auction

The Philippines’ telecoms regulator the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has reaffirmed that its proposed method of awarding the nation’s final 3G operating licence is legal and urgent. The watchdog says the government is concerned that it has already lost the equivalent of PHP325 million in licence revenues over the past five years, while the 3G frequency has lain unused. According to NTC Deputy Commissioner D Michael Mallillin, the government is losing PHP65 million per annum in spectrum user fees. The official went on to say that the planned auction is also necessary to improve the lot of end users in terms of improved services and lower call rates. The NTC has reportedly consulted the Office of the Solicitor General (OSG) regarding both the auction and the issuance of a memorandum circular (MC) to govern it.