DITO Acknowledges Results of Second Technical Audit

DITO Telecommunity, the country’s newest telco player, in a briefing with members of the media acknowledged that it has passed the second government technical audit based on national population coverage and minimum average broadband speeds as stated in the report sent by the National Telecommunications Commission.

DITO Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) said that with respect to the calculated National Population Coverage, DITO now covers 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, Lagun
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.