By Benjamin Cuaresma
MANILA– In a significant shift for the country’s telecommunications industry, rivals PLDT Inc. and DITO Telecommunity have entered into a landmark infrastructure-sharing agreement aimed at strengthening network coverage, improving service quality, and accelerating digital connectivity across the Philippines.
The collaboration, which also includes PLDT’s mobile arm Smart Communications, allows both companies to maximize the use of existing telecommunications infrastructure instead of constructing duplicate facilities. The arrangement enables reciprocal access to qualified cellular towers, in-building communication systems, and selected submarine cable assets without requiring either company to pay infrastructure-sharing fees.
The agreement represents one of the rare instances in which competing telecommunications providers have chosen cooperation over duplication, signaling a more practical approach to expanding network services while managing operational costs.
Rather than investing in separate facilities serving the same areas, both companies will jointly utilize existing assets to accelerate network deployment and improve service availability, particularly in underserved communities.
The agreement also grants temporary access to portions of each other’s international submarine cable capacity through right-of-use arrangements, providing greater flexibility in handling data traffic and strengthening network resilience.
Industry observers say the collaboration could shorten deployment timelines while reducing unnecessary infrastructure investments, allowing both firms to allocate capital toward expanding next-generation technologies and enhancing customer experience.
PLDT Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Manuel V. Pangilinan emphasized that providing reliable connectivity is a shared responsibility among telecommunications providers.
He said that while competition remains healthy within the industry, collaboration in critical infrastructure can help bridge the country’s digital divide, create more opportunities for Filipinos, and support national economic growth.
The agreement comes as PLDT continues to optimize its investment spending, with capital expenditures projected to remain within the mid-₱50-billion range this year following significant infrastructure investments in previous years.
For DITO Telecommunity, the partnership offers an opportunity to expand network reach while managing financial pressures, as the company continues addressing its capital requirements amid aggressive network expansion.
DITO President and Chief Executive Officer Eric Alberto expressed optimism that the agreement will serve as the foundation for broader partnerships within the telecommunications sector.
He noted that infrastructure sharing demonstrates how industry competitors can work together on common objectives that ultimately benefit consumers through better connectivity, faster network rollout, and more efficient use of resources.
The landmark agreement is expected to support the government’s push for wider digital access while reinforcing the country’s telecommunications infrastructure to meet the growing demand for high-speed internet and reliable mobile services.
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