THE 3G (third generation) network coverage of mobile-phone giants Smart Communications Inc. and Globe Telecom now spans more than 200 cities and towns nationwide while the other two 3G firms are still in the process of rolling out their cellular sites.

Of the four licensed 3G operators, only Digitel Mobile Philippines Inc. and Connectivity Unlimited Resources Enterprise Inc. have yet to commercially launch their service. Smart, Globe, Digitel and Connectivity Unlimited were issued 3G permits by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) in January 2006.

The NTC reminded them some two weeks ago to use the 3G frequency bandwidth awarded to them. Should they fail to meet an imposed deadline, they could lose their 3G permit.

“We are reminding them that pursuant to NTC circular and the authority granted to them to use 3G radio frequencies… they should start commercial operation within the timeframe stated,” NTC commissioner Ruel Canobas said in an interview.

Policy dictates that 3G firms should start offering services within 30 months from January 4, 2006—when the 3G frequencies were awarded.

In separate reports submitted to the NTC, Smart said it has covered a total of 217 cities and towns since 2006. The company now offers 3G services to all chartered cities and provincial capitals.

Globe’s head for regulatory affairs, Froilan Castelo, his company’s committed 3G network is ahead of schedule.

“As per Globe’s five-year 3G coverage plan submitted to the NTC on October 21, 2005, Globe’s 3G network already covers 10 percent of the rollout commitments for both 2007 and 2008,” Castelo said.

Globe’s 3G service, he added, is already available in about 200 cities and towns across the country as of August 31, 2007.

Meanwhile, the cellular unit of publicly listed Digitel told the NTC that it has 40 on-air cellular sites currently installed. By March 2008, it would have activated 180 sites, and up 320 by June 2008.

Connecivity Unlimited has maintained the June 2008 target date for the commercial operation of its 3G network. President and chief executive officer Eric Recto said his company has activated its 3G network last December 15, and that it is in the process of optimizing network performance and coverage in preparation for its commercial launch.

SHAREHOLDERS of publicly traded power and infrastructure conglomerate First Philippine Holdings Corp. approved Wednesday a plan to issue 200 million worth of preferred shares.

NTC tells firms to use 3G frequency

THE 3G (third generation) network coverage of mobile-phone giants Smart Communications Inc. and Globe Telecom now spans more than 200 cities and towns nationwide while the other two 3G firms are still in the process of rolling out their cellular sites.

PHILIPPINE stocks rose Wednesday, lifting the benchmark from its biggest drop in eight weeks, after the Federal Reserve eased investor concern a slowdown in the housing market would drag the US into a recession.