Telecom giants PLDT Inc., Smart Communications, Inc., and DITO Telecommunity signed an infrastructure-sharing agreement on Friday to expand network coverage and boost digital inclusion nationwide, as reported by BusinessWorld.
“Connecting the country is a responsibility that we all share as Philippine telcos,” PLDT Chairman and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said in a statement. “This agreement reflects that, even competitors can work together for the benefit of the Filipino people.” The deal allows the three operators to share passive infrastructure such as towers, fiber optic cables, and other facilities, reducing duplication of resources and accelerating network rollouts in underserved areas.
The partnership marks a rare collaboration among fierce rivals in the Philippine telecommunications sector, which has long faced criticism for slow internet speeds and spotty coverage. By pooling infrastructure, the companies aim to lower operational costs and improve service quality, particularly in rural regions. The agreement aligns with the government’s push for universal connectivity as part of the National Broadband Plan.