NOW may still appeal NTC decision revoking license
NOW Telecom, a subsidiary of listed NOW Corp., can still contest a decision of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) denying to renew its license to operate a mobile telecommunications system.
An official of the NTC told the Inquirer on Monday the company has 15 days after receipt of the order to file for a motion for reconsideration.
An official from NOW did not respond to queries on the company’s next steps since it has yet to receive a copy of the decision.
A source from the NTC has confirmed reports on NOW Telecom’s nonrenewal of franchise following its failure to expand its infrastructure and pay regulatory fees.
In a 45-page order dated March 19, the NTC said NOW’s network rollout was “grossly deficient” as it was only able to install six base stations out of the 2,306 facilities committed under a 2017 plan.
“After more than five years, the frequency band 3520-3540 MHz is used only in six out of 2,306 base stations (0.26 percent) or three out of 245 locations (1.22 percent),” the NTC order read.
In 2022, NOW said it would spend as much as P7.8 billion in capital expenditures over the next 10 years to establish 100 base stations.
