PLDT Inc., Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), and DITO Telecommunity signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to pursue strategic resource-sharing initiatives aimed at expanding network coverage and delivering more reliable connectivity for customers across the country.
The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration across three key areas of telecommunications infrastructure through reciprocal resource sharing, with no monetary exchange between the parties. Under the reciprocal macro site access arrangement, the parties will grant one another reciprocal rights to use eligible tower sites. The MOU also covers in-building solution (IBS) colocation, enabling the parties to share telecommunications infrastructure within commercial buildings and other indoor locations, and submarine cable capacity through Indefeasible Right of Use (IRU) arrangements, allowing both companies to optimize the use of existing international connectivity assets. By maximizing existing infrastructure, the partnership will expand network coverage, enhance service reliability, and deliver a better connectivity experience for customers across the country.
"Connecting the country is a responsibility that we all share as Philippine telcos. This agreement reflects that, even as we compete in the marketplace, we can collaborate where it matters the most: accelerating digital inclusion, helping connect every Filipino, and creating greater opportunities for our people and our nation," said Manuel V. Pangilinan, PLDT Chairman and CEO.
“This partnership that we are forging today is a modest one. This allows both companies to deliver much better services for all our respective customers. May this partnership usher and blossom into many more things so that we can have meaningful results for our companies, and more importantly, for the betterment of services for all our respective customers.” Mr. Eric Alberto, President and CEO of DITO Telecommunity added.
The agreement reflects the parties' shared commitment to strengthening the country's digital infrastructure through greater industry collaboration. Rather than building separate infrastructure in the same locations, PLDT, Smart, and DITO will maximize the use of existing macro sites and in-building facilities, reducing unnecessary duplication of network investments. This enables the companies to deploy capital more efficiently, accelerate network expansion, and deliver broader coverage and more reliable connectivity for Filipino consumers while supporting a more resilient and future-ready telecommunications ecosystem. (PR)
