DITO remains 'on track' with March 2021 launch despite audit delay

Jessica Fenol and Warren De Guzman, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="https://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/business/07/03/20200220-udenna-tamano-santiago-jc-9769-(1).jpg"/><figcaption>DITO chief administrative officer Adel Tamano and DITO chief technology officer Retired Mj Gen. Rodolfo Santiago at a briefing at their headquarters in Taguig City on February 20, 2020. Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News/File</figcaption></figure></div>MANILA (UPDATE) -- DITO Telecommunity said Friday it was still &quot;on track&quot; to meet its commercial launch in March 2021 despite delays in its technical audit originally set this month.The technical audit, originally scheduled on July 8 has been &quot;pushed back&quot;, its consortium member Chelsea Logistics said in a disclosure to stock exchange. The audit or technical review allows the government to check its network rollout and infrastructure.DITO requested for a 6-month extension on the technical audit due to work stoppage that delayed construction works on its towers, chief administrative officer Adel Tamano told reporters in a separate press briefing.The delay in the technical launch won&#x27;t affect the scheduled March 2021 commercial launch, he said.&quot;We are on track for our commercial launch this March 2021 and we’re moving heaven and earth really to make that happen and to make it a successful launch,&quot; Tamano said.&quot;March 2021 or earlier than that DITO will have a commercial launch and we will have a third telco servicing the Filipinos,&quot; he added.Businesses, schools and transport are all recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns that halted the economy since March. Metro Manila transitioned to looser general community quarantine on June 1.After the technical audit, the telco will have time to remedy any issues found by the government, Tamano said.<ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/02/20/20/dito-says-it-has-enough-resources-to-challenge-pldt-globe">DITO says it has enough resources to challenge PLDT, Globe</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/business/07/01/20/dito-telecommunity-to-miss-july-8-deadline-to-offer-27-mbps-internet-service-ex-dict-official">DITO Telecommunity to miss July 8 deadline to offer 27 mbps internet service: ex-DICT official</a></li></ul>Out of its first year commitment of 1,300 towers, 300 are now &quot;live&quot; while 500 have been erected, chief technology officer Rodolfo Santiago said. The 300 online towers cover 9 percent of the population, below the 37 percent commitment for the first year.All erected towers are likely to be operational in two weeks time, he said. It has also inked deals with 3 common tower builders for 500 more towers, Santiago said.Santiago added that the telco has done its first voice call and video call test in March, ahead of its May target. DITO is also conducting &quot;stress tests&quot; on the existing network, he said.DITO can complete the commitment of 1,300 towers within 4 months &quot;barring any work stoppages&quot; due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Santiago said.DITO, a consortium of Dennis Uy&#x27;s Udenna Corp and Chelsea Logistics with China Telecom, has committed to deliver 27 megabits per second internet speed within its first year of operations or near-Singapore levels, and &quot;way better&quot; than that of Globe Telecom and PLDT Inc.

DITO Telecommunity said Friday it was still "on track" to meet its commercial launch in March 2021 despite delays in its technical audit originally set this month.

DITO Telecommunity said Friday it was still "on track" to meet its commercial launch in March 2021 despite delays in its technical audit originally set this month.

DITO remains 'on track' with March 2021 launch despite audit delay | ABS-CBN

Entertainment

News

Metro.Style

Sports

More

Business

DITO remains 'on track' with March 2021 launch despite audit delay

DITO remains 'on track' with March 2021 launch despite audit delay

Jessica Fenol and Warren De Guzman,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jul 03, 2020 10:10 AM PHT

|

Updated Jul 03, 2020 01:31 PM PHT

Read More:

ANC

ANC top

DITO Telecommunity

third telco

telco

China Telecom

Dennis Uy

Udenna Corp

DITO commercial launch

ABS-CBN is the leading media and entertainment company in the Philippines, offering quality content across TV, radio, digital, and film. Committed to public service and promoting Filipino values, ABS-CBN continues to inspire and connect audiences worldwide.

Corporate

Investors

Governance

International Distribution

Corporate

Governance

Investors

International Distribution

NPC Seal of Registration

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

Advertise with Us

© 2024 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.

NPC Seal of Registration

Advertise with Us

Privacy Policy

Terms of Service

© 2024 ABS-CBN Corporation. All Rights Reserved.