Mislatel consortium is officially the country’s New Major Player in the public

telecommunications market after the National Telecommunications

Commission (NTC) En Banc issued its Confirmation Order on 19 November
2018.

The Mislatel consortium, comprised of Udenna Corporation, Chelsea

Holdings, and China Telecom, passed the Document Verification Phase
conducted by the NMP Selection Committee that merited them for the final
confirmation from the NTC En Banc.

Out of the three aspirants, Mislatel was the lone qualified bidder that passed
the evaluation procedures en route to being declared as the provisional NMP
title on 7 November. The Motion for Reconsideration of the two disqualified
bidders, Sear Telecom and PT&T, were both denied by the Selection
Committee.

“As we reached the end of the tunnel of this NMP search, the ball is now on
Mislatel’s court to deliver on their promise,” said Acting Secretary Eliseo M.
Rio Jr.

In its Highest Committed Level of Service (HCLoS) bid, Mislatel vows to

deliver 27 Mbps of minimum average broadband speed on its first year before
zooming to 55 Mbps in the next four years. The NMP has also devoted to
service 84.01% of the population before the end of its five-year commitment
period.

NTC can forfeit the NMP’s performance security of around 25 billion pesos
and recall the awarded frequencies should it found a breach in any of its
commitments.

With this, Rio expects the NMP to tap existing small players to meet their own
promises.

“One of the best ways Mislatel can comply with its commitments is to use all
existing facilities and services of the other small players,” said Rio. “The NMP
will spur business for small telcos and last mile links like CATV operators.”

The NMP has 90 days to submit required documents stated in the NTC MC
09-09-2018, including its roll-out plan for the entire commitment period, for the
processing of its Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN).
In line with the entry of a new major player (NMP), the Department of
Information and Communications Technology (DICT) has committed to
intensify the policy reforms to further improve the country’s
telecommunications market.

There would be four key policies by early 2019 that would be needed to
establish a level playing field in the telecommunications market. Among the
priority policy reforms being targeted to be issued in the first quarter of 2019 is
the Common Tower Policy. The policy is being drafted alongside the Office of
Presidential Adviser on Economic Affairs and ICT.

Also in the Department’s crosshair is the issuance of a much-needed

Spectrum Management Reform Policy. Rio noted that the DICT, with the help
of NTC, is eyeing to release the said policy also by the 1st quarter of 2019,
taking into consideration the possibility that the Congress will earlier pass a
law on the same subject matter.

In the same timeframe, the Memorandum Circular on Open Access is also

expected to be finalized.

The four key policies are seen as major steps in promoting better competition
in the telco industry, and will assist the NMP in keeping up with the incumbent
dominant players. However, it must be noted that these policy reforms cannot
amend nor modify the any provisions of the Memorandum Circular09-09-
2018containing the Rules and Regulations on the Selection Process.

In addition, the DICT, together with the NTC and National Security Council
(NSC), shall ensure that the NMP will adhere to the integrity of the country’s
national security.
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