Following last year’s US$1.6bn acquisition of Digicel, Philippines operator PLDT has finally handed back the 3G licence held by CURE (Connectivity Unlimited Resources Enterprises). The move was announced by PLDT president Napoleon Nazareno in a message…
Following last year’s US$1.6bn acquisition of Digicel, Philippines operator PLDT has finally handed back the 3G licence held by CURE (Connectivity Unlimited Resources Enterprises). The move was announced by PLDT president Napoleon Nazareno in a message to local reporters. CURE is a subsidiary of Smart Communications, which in turn is a subsidiary of PLDT.
Returning 10 MHz of 3G frequency in the 2,100 MHz band to telecoms regulator NTC was part of the remedies package PLDT had accepted in return for approval of the Digicel takeover.
The spectrum will be auctioned within the next six months.
Local conglomerate San Miguel has in May expressed its interest in the spectrum.
San Miguel mainly focuses on the food and drink sectors, but has more recently expanded its footprint in the telecoms industry by acquiring local telcos, some of them dormant, and increasing its stakes in existing units.
Another player expected to participate in the auction is Globe Telecom.
