NEW telecommunication player DITO Telecommunity will now be able to operate in the next two decades.
This after President Duterte finally signed Republic Act No. 11537, which extended the franchise to Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company Inc., now known as DITO, by another 25 years.
“This franchise shall be extended in effect, for a period of 25 years from its expiration on April 24, 2023, unless sooner revoked or cancelled,” Duterte said in RA 11537.
“This franchise shall be deemed ipso facto revoked in the event the grantee fails to operate continuously for two years,” he added.
For the duration of the franchise, DITO will have to construct, establish, install, maintain, and operate wireless and telecommunications.
The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) is authorized to revoke or suspend the franchise after due process.
Duterte signed RA 11537 on Tuesday following the rollout of DITO’s services in Metro Manila and 46 other areas the day before.
RA 11537 will take effect 15 days after its publication in the Official Gazette or in a newspaper of general circulation.
DITO is targeting over a million subscribers before the end of the year. Currently, it has around 500,000 subscribers.