Globe sets sights on CURE 3G spectrum

Globe Telecom of the Philippines is interested in bidding for the 3G frequencies surrendered to the regulator the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) by PLDT’s Connectivity Unlimited Resource Enterprises (CURE, trading as Red Mobile) unit. CURE handed back the spectrum allocation as a condition of its parent company’s takeover of fellow Filipino operator Digital Telecommunications Inc (Digitel) from the Gokongwei group last year. Under the NTC’s terms and conditions, CURE and all its remaining assets, including its congressional operating franchise and 10MHz 3G licence, have been returned to the watchdog for reallocation via auction. In confirming its intention to bid for the frequencies, Globe’s head of corporate and legal services, Froilan M Castelo, said: ‘We’ve been vocal about our interest to bid for CURE’s 3G spectrum as part of our drive to provide our subscribers with a better network, especially with the growth of smartphones and the explosion of mobile data use … We thank the NTC for closely monitoring post-merger activities and ensuring that all agreements have been fulfilled.’