Smart, Sun Cellular get more frequencies
(Inquirer News Service)

The NTC reported that the last bandwidth available at the 1800 MHz frequency for cellular phone operators was divided evenly between the two companies.




THE NATIONAL Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has granted additional frequencies to wireless phone firm Smart Communications Inc. and Digitel Mobile Philippines, operator of the "Sun Cellular" brand, to accommodate their expanded networks.

The NTC reported that the last bandwidth available at the 1800 MHz frequency for cellular phone operators was divided evenly between the two companies.

The NTC decided to equally divide the bandwidth to ease tension between the two companies, which were bitterly fighting over the additional frequency.

It took the NTC more than a year to act on the issue.

The NTC has noted that under the 1800 MHz frequency, with the remaining 5 MHz slot Smart has 17.5 MHz while Sun Cellular has 15 MHz.

Globe Telecom Inc., the second-biggest mobile phone firm, has 12.5 MHz under the same frequency.

In its application, Smart said it had the biggest subscriber base and thus needed the biggest frequency allocation to deliver quality service to its customers, estimated at 20.2 million customers as of end-March.

Sun Cellular said its customer base was growing rapidly due to the popularity of the "24/7" subscription plan which allowed unlimited calls and text messages within its network, and therefore needed additional infrastructure support.

Sun Cellular ended March with 1.7 million subscribers.

Globe had 12.9 million subscribers at end-March.

Smart expects to end the year with 23 million subscribers.

The NTC said the remaining 5 MHz would be the last frequency available under the conventional digital wireless operations.

The next available frequencies were set aside for third-generation wireless operation or 3G, which the NTC would like to bid out this year. Clarissa S. Batino, with INQ7.net