NTC extends Bayan’s mobile permit till 2013

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has extended Bayan Telecommunications permit to operate a cellular mobile telephone system (CMTS) till 2013. However, the Philippine regulatory authority has warned Bayan that it must continue to build out its mobile network over the next two years to avoid ‘stiff’ sanctions. According to reports, a four-page order signed by the NTC commissioners states that in order to allow Bayan to continue building up its CMTS nationwide, it is recommended that its provisional authority be extended until November 3, 2013; subject further to the condition that should Bayan fail to continue building up its CMTS network within two years from date thereof, the provisional authority shall be deemed cancelled or revoked. Bayan was granted provisional authority on May 3, 2000 which has been extended twice, up to November 5, 2005 and November 3, 2010. As per sources, Bayan claims they are currently working on a proof of concept with several vendors for LTE in order to utilize its allocated frequencies in the 1800 megahertz band. Bayan reportedly told the NTC on July 28 that it has commenced installing cell sites for CMTS services. To date, it has put up 428 cell sites nationwide and has signed up 178,552 subscribers for the wireless landline service. According to NTC Director, Edgardo Cabarios, when Bayan was authorized in 2000, Extelcom questioned the authority before the Court of Appeals. During this time, Digitel was authorized to operate a CMTS network and started offering cellular service. Bayan could not offer anything because of a court case.