WITH the entry of the third telecommunications provider in the country, more options are now available for Dabawenyo consumers, a business leader said.

John Carlo Tria, Davao City Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Incorporated (DCCCII) vice president, said through a text message that the third telco player will broaden the choice available for consumers and businesses.

The National Telecommunication Commission (NTC) revealed on Wednesday, November 7, the Mislatel Consortium as the third provisional new major player (NMP) after Mislatel underwent assessment done by NTC.

Mislatel was able to earn the final bid rating of 456.80 points.

Other bidders like Sears Telecoms-TierOne Communications, which includes the LCS Group of Companies of Ilocos businessman and politician Luis “Chavit” Singson was disqualified for failure to submit P700-million participation security.

The Philippine Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (PT&T) was also disqualified for failure to submit the Certification of Technical Capability to the NTC.

Mislatel is a partnership between Davao businessman Dennis Uy’s Chelsea Logistics Holdings Corp. and China Telecommunications Corporation (China Telecom).

The consortium promised to provide 5 megabits per second (mbps) internet speed and 55 mbps maximum for the next five years.

“I personally hope that they complete the post-qualification process, and start implementation immediately,” Samuel Matunog, Department of Information and Communications Technology-Davao president and lawyer, said in a text message.