Mislatel gets license; Duterte wants faster internet

MANILA, Philippines — President Duterte yesterday called on the  third telecommunications player, Mislatel consortium, to ensure unhampered and fast internet access as he turned over the license to operate to the group of Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy at Malacañang.

“Accompanying this bond is a commitment – I will hold you to that commitment – that you will improve the country’s prevailing internet speed from 4.5 Mbps to 55 Mbps,” Duterte said in his speech during turnover ceremonies of the Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity.

“The entry of Mislatel consortium – assuming that it complies with this commitment – is indeed a milestone in our efforts to provide fast, reliable, secure and more affordable telecommunication services to the public,” he said.

Apart from a small group of businessmen and Cabinet officials, newly appointed Information and Communications Technology chief Gregorio Honasan and National Telecommunications Commission commissioner Liel Cordoba witnessed the ceremonies.

“Let me take this opportunity to pose this challenge to Mislatel: break the prevailing duopoly in the telecommunications industry and fulfill your commitment to provide better telco services to our people,” the President said, reiterating at an earlier event that slow-paced internet is one of the issues that upset him during the start of his administration.

“More than a year ago, I directed government agencies to commence the selection and assignment of a radio frequency for a new telco player to solve our internet woes,” he said.

“Today, I am glad to announce the entry of a new player that will take on the challenge of competing against the existing players in our country’s telco industry. This new player is the Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company or Mislatel Consortium,” Duterte said.

After complying with the stringent standards set by the  NTC, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Philippine Competition Commission, Duterte noted that the new telco player posted a performance security bond amounting to P25.7 billion.

“To our people, I encourage you to take advantage of the many opportunities arising from a more vibrant telecommunications industry by engaging in productive ICT-based undertakings,” he said.

“Expand your businesses, engage in online jobs, avail of online learning and training opportunities and participate in productive public discussions,” Duterte added.

Mislatel spokesman Adel Tamano remains optimistic that Filipino subscribers will soon enjoy better internet and WiFi service.