Transpacific Broadband Group International (TBGI) has outlined plans to install 10,000 cell sites and towers across the Philippines with third telco DITO Telecommunity strongly alluded to in its plans. In its 2020 annual report released this week, the company confirmed: ‘TBGI plans to install 10,000 sites and towers of the third telco through its network of affiliate organisations’. According to online portal Business World, meanwhile, TBGI Vice-President Paul B Saria later stated in a phone call that TBGI currently has ‘no direct contract’ with DITO and ‘we are already starting the installations for that’. TeleGeography notes that alongside its own broadband connectivity options, TBGI is also developing a niche as a telecommunications tower infrastructure provider.
The development comes as DITO reportedly readies itself to launch 4G and 5G services in Metro Manila starting 17 May. According to an unconfirmed report in the Philippine Daily Inquirer, DITO will officially offer mobile services from that date, although it has not disclosed information on which cities will be covered.