PT&T calls for network rollout plans to form core part of third telco bid

Philippine Telegraph and Telephone Company (PT&T), one of the companies vying to become the country’s third major telco, has thrown its weight behind a proposal that calls on the government to require prospective third telco bidders to submit their detailed rollout plans as part of the selection process. Rival operator NOW Telecom had earlier suggested that any bid application blueprint would only be suitable if it included the bidder’s rollout timetable prior to it being declared the third telco – a move that Renato Garcia, executive vice president and board director of PT&T, said his company agrees with and has been voiced to the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT). ‘A preliminary rollout plan is normally required in any bidding,’ he is quoted as saying, adding: ‘From my understanding, this proposal is consistent with the recommendations of the ITU experts to support the validation and evaluation to be done based on the coverage (Form A), speed and investment (Form B ratings).’ Further, Garcia laid out PT&T’s position that it believes that bolstering the selection process with this proposal would provide assurance the third telco is equipped to challenge the duopoly of PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom. The current draft terms of reference (TOR) do not require rollout plans in the list of selection documents. Only the winning bidder will be asked to submit its detailed rollout programme within 90 days after the selection. The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) is expected to finish revisions of the draft guidelines next week.