PLDT to return frequencies for new telco player

PLDT is reportedly returning the CURE frequencies to the NTC by the instruction of President Rodrigo Duterte. This is to make way for the frequencies to be awarded to the upcoming third Telecommunications player. The report came via a Facebook post of DICT Undersecretary and OIC of DICT, Eliseo Rio Jr., who also detailed the history of PLDT’s acquisition and divestiture of CURE.

Way back in 2005 the NTC opened up five 3G slots to be contested by major Telco players. Four of the five slots were awarded to Globe, Smart/PLDT, SUN, and CURE. Two years later, PLDT bought CURE and made it into RED mobile. Then in 2011, PLDT acquired SUN Cellular which prompted a series of events that compelled the Telco to divest CURE.