DITO Telecommunity, the country’s third major telco players, passed the second government technical audit based on national population coverage and minimum average broadband speeds in their report sent by the National Telecommunications Commission.
DITO Chief Administrative Officer said that the calculated National Population Coverage, DITO is covering 52.75% clocked minimum average broadband speeds of 89.13 Mbps and 853.85 Mbps for all 4G and 5G sites, respectively.
“We have mentioned this before, but it bears repeating. The results truly express the hard work and dedication exerted by everyone in DITO to ensure faster, more affordable, and world class connectivity for Filipinos wherever they may be,” the DITO CAO added.
Atty. Tamano further clarified that the regulations surrounding the guidelines of the independent audit was included in the CPCN of DITO.
“We should bear in mind that RG Manabat was chosen among a list of qualified auditors based on a vetting process set forth in NTC memorandum circular 09-09-2018. The chosen auditing firm reports directly to the NTC. DITO will only be advised of the results through the final report furnished by the NTC,” Atty. Tamano added.
In response to the issue of speed tests conducted by third parties in relation to the government audit, DITO Chief Technology Officer (CTO) Retired Major General Rodolfo Santiago said, the government audit test areas were near point, mid-point and far point. This method effectively ties the speed test with population coverage.
“We believe that other third-party tests were conducted beyond our far points which have resulted in slower speed readings among other reasons. Note that the number of 4G and 5G sites covered by the technical audit numbered 3094, and 604 respectively,” General Santiago further explained,
ROLL-OUT UPDATES
As for where DITO is now in terms of its roll-out efforts, the CTO disclosed in the same briefing that it has already a total of 4,384 towers under mobilization, with 3,094 towers integrated, have laid out 18,074 km – land-based fiber optic cable, and have made its presence felt commercially in more than 233 cities since its launch in March of this year.
In terms of commercial availability, DITO last September 3 opened 18 areas and is opening 48 cities more cities this month. The initial 48 are as follows:
SEPTEMBER 3, 2021
- Bustos, Bulacan
- San Ildefonso, Bulacan
- San Miguel, Bulacan
- Santa Maria, Bulacan
- San Nicolas, Pangasinan
- Candelaria, Quezon
- City of Tayabas, Quezon
- Pagbilao City of Tayabas
- San Antonio, Quezon
- Sariaya, Quezon
- City of Butuan (capital), Agusan del Norte
- Santa Josefa, Agusan del Sur
- Linamon, Lanao del Norte
- Gitagum, Misamis Oriental
- Laguindingan, Misamis Oriental
- Libertad, Misamis Oriental
- Initao, Misamis Oriental
- Alabel (capital), Sarangani
SEPTEMBER 10, 2021
- Orani, Bataan
- San Rafael, Bulacan
- Pulilan, Bulacan
- Jaen, Nueva Ecija
- Quezon, Nueva Ecija
- Lubao, Pampanga
- Alaminos, Pangasinan
- Bolinao, Pangasinan
- Urdaneta, Pangasinan
- Urbiztondo, Pangasinan
- Bani, Pangasinan
- Bugallon, Pangasinan
- Mangaldan, Pangasinan
- Victoria, Tarlac
- Dumaguete, Negros Oriental
- Valencia, Negros Oriental
September 17, 2021
- Norzagaray, Bulacan
- Lupao, Nueva Ecija
- Dupax Del Norte, Nueva Vizcaya
- Laoac, Pangasinan
- Dasol, Pangasinan
- Aguilar, Pangasinan
- Bautista, Pangasinan
- Binalonan, Pangasinan
- San Jacinto, Pangasinan
- Tayug, Pangasinan
- Nagcarlan, Laguna
- Lemery, Batangas
- Maragondon, Cavite
- Lucban, Quezon
September 24, 2021
- Balagtas, Bulacan
- Bacolor, Pampanga
- Santa Barbara, Pangasinan
- Malasiqui, Pangasinan
- Sibulan, Negros Oriental
PHASE 2 SUBMARINE CABLE CONNECTING LUZON, VISAYAS, and MINDANAO TO BEGIN SOON
In addition, a surprise announcement was made by General Santiago when he pointed to the phase one completion of the submarine cable link connecting Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao which has in fact been in service since March 2021. He further added that the Phase 2 of the project that links Palawan to the rest of the country as well as provides redundancy for the Visayas and Mindanao loop is soon to begin.
“DITO is creating a modern telecommunications infrastructure, a network that does not rely on the existing infrastructure of anyone but by building our very own, not just for the ever-growing subscriber base of more than two point six million, but for the Filipino people,” concluded General Santiago.
