Globe is pushing PLDT to do an AT&T and surrender excess frequencies.

Globe Statement:

“AT&T’s response to the US-DOJ suit assumes an even more refined and tasteful style when contrasted with PLDT’s own brusque reaction to oppositions filed by Globe and other players to its proposed acquisition of Digital Telecommunications Philippines Inc. … Faced with the same grounds raised by the US DOJ and industry rivals to the AT&T—T-Mobile merger – namely, that the deal with Digitel would be detrimental to consumer welfare and fair competition, PLDT laughed off the claims as ‘irrelevant,’ as the oppositors were allegedly ‘not real parties in interest’ and had no legal standing to question the deal… PLDT also brushed off arguments that the deal would harm competition, despite its cornering three out of the four blocks (or 75 percent) of 3G frequencies assigned by the NTC. In short, unlike its US counterpart, PLDT offered the regulator and the public nothing.”

AT&T offered to surrender 25% of T-Mobile’s business, including spectrum and customers, if it is allowed to buy the telco. The company initially offered to divest 10 percent of T-Mobile assets which was deemed not enough. AT&T’s plan, if it pushes through, would give the telco an almost 44% share of the US wireless market.

PLDT is acquiring a 51.55-percent stake in Digitel from JG Summit Holdings Inc. for P69.2 billion. Sources said the NTC is more inclined to approve of the deal because technically, no law will be broken.