Dito Telecommunity Corporation: Challenging Telecom Duopoly in the Philippines

Abstract

Dito Telecommunity Corporation (Dito Telecom), the erstwhile Mislatel (Mindanao Islamic Telephone Company) Consortium, which won the government-sanctioned bid in the Philippines in mid-2019, is set to become the third major telco provider in the Philippines. 1 In the runup to its complete launch in early 2020, the telecom newbie started rolling out SIM cards to start pilot testing operations in November, struck deals with partners and competitors alike to access common towers, constructed new towers in key areas, built telco facilities in military camps, and even utilized unused fiber optic cables. However, the challenge ahead was to acquire and retain customers even as it tries to avoid a Php24 billion 2 loss in the event it fails to fulfill its commitment of providing an Internet speed of 55 megabits per second (Mbps) covering 84% of the population over a 5-year period against a capital expenditure commitment of around Php250 billion 3 and at the same time anticipate and counter obstacles in its quest to challenge the Globe-PLDT duopoly. 4