The development of the country’s digital infrastructure is fundamental not just in connecting people and communities but in transforming businesses around the world. That’s why the government’s call to strengthen the country’s digital ecosystem entails digital inclusion as one of the priority initiatives.
Fortunately, telecommunication companies in the Philippines have been actively doing their share in bridging the digital divide with their aggressive efforts to improve and further enhance their network quality, service reliability and overall customer service. Supporting the local mobile network operators (MNOs) in delivering enhanced connectivity is Unity Digital Infrastructure, a joint venture between Aboitiz InfraCapital and leading global private markets firm Partners Group, acting on behalf of its clients.
Just recently, Unity achieved a groundbreaking milestone as it successfully hosted three mobile network operators in one of its cell sites in Cebu through its partnership with Visayan Electric Company (VECO). With this feat made possible through effective collaboration, Unity has put on air Globe Telecom as the anchor tenant, along with Smart Communications and DITO Telecommunity as co-location tenants in a single tower – effectively showcasing the shared tower model at work in adherence to PH’s common tower policy.
The Common Tower Initiative, initiated by the Philippine government, is geared towards accelerating the improvement of Internet connectivity and addressing telecommunications infrastructure issues in the country. Its main goal is to establish a shared tower model, where independent companies build and maintain cell towers that can be rented by multiple telecom providers to promote competition, lower costs, speed up tower deployment, and improve network quality and coverage.
“Our presence in this site reflects our strong commitment to support the government’s Common Tower initiative as we advance further in our goal to provide better connectivity for all Filipinos across the nation,” PLDT and Smart President and CEO Al Panlilio said.
“We are pleased to be partners with the Aboitiz Group and Unity with whom we share the same vision of strengthening digital infrastructure in the Philippines. By leveraging on our combined expertise and resources, we aim to support the country’s continued digital transformation by bringing cutting-edge technology and innovative solutions to our customers,” he added.
Team members from Unity and representatives from the Visayas Regional Teams of Globe, Smart-PLDT, and DITO visit the location of the three-tenant tower in Cebu.
For his part, DITO Telcommunity’s Chief Technology Officer Retired Major General Rodolfo Santiago said they welcome this opportunity given to them as a new player to contribute to the advancement of digital connectivity and be able to reach more customers in the provinces. “We are pleased to note that the Common Tower initiative is progressing in the country and we are able to leverage on that as it allows us to efficiently build our network by co-locating on neutrally boosted towers such as this one of Unity,” shared Santiago.
