DITO Telecommunity is looking to expand its reach in the country by offering satellite tech-based Internet services.
DITO’s chief technology officer, Rodolfo Santiago, revealed to the press that the company is currently in advanced talks with OneWeb, a UK-based company with broadband satellite Internet services. If a deal is signed, the partnership would bring Internet connectivity to remote areas of the Philippines.
Santiago identified Basilan, Sulu, Tawi-Tawi, and other isolated regions in Luzon and Visayas as places where satellite-based Internet services would be useful. These areas constitute 5 percent of the population, and providing access to them would aid DITO in reaching 80 percent of the populace by July. The company has so far covered 78 percent of the population.
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While DITO is also considering proposals from other satellite companies, including a firm that uses geostationary technology, its potential partnership with OneWeb is the most promising one so far. Per its website, OneWeb has 648 satellites in its constellation traversing in 12 orbital planes in low Earth orbit.
Santiago added that DITO is hoping to reach an agreement with a satellite provider soon. He emphasized the importance of having a robust network infrastructure for remote areas, one that can offer reliable internet speeds to users. Furthermore, DITO seeks to find a balance between the cost and the low population density of these regions.
DITO also recently announced its plans to launch postpaid and enterprise services soon. Its planned capital expenditure this year is set to Php27 billion.