Telco questions decision that prevented it from opposing rival's offers

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines’ third-largest mobile phone firm questioned a decision that prevented it from opposing a rival company’s application to offer additional data services. Digital Telecommunications Philippines Inc. (Digitel) said that it should not have been declared in default after it failed to attend a hearing regarding Cruz Telephone Co. Inc.’s (Cruztelco) application to provide fixed line and mobile phone services. In its filing with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), the Gokongwei-led company said that it received the notice of hearing on July 30, the day of the hearing itself. Digitel was later declared in default after it failed to attend the hearing and file its written opposition against Cruztelco’s application. “Digitel should not be declared in default because its failure to attend the said hearing, file its written opposition and/or present evidence was not due to its own fault or negligence. Digitel respectfully implores the kind consideration of the NTC to life the order of default against it, and admit its written opposition," Digitel said. Cruztelco has not shown that its proposed additional services will accommodate the demand in areas it earlier indicated, Digitel said. It added that “competition among carriers" has already resulted in lower prices and better services. “Provision of the same service by another entity would therefore be a surplus and may elicit unhealthy business atmosphere," said Digitel. For its part, Smart Communications also opposed Cruztelco’s entry into the mobile and data service market on the grounds that it is “legally infirm" and “defective." Smart added that it has not been properly informed of Cruztelco’s coverage areas and rates it plans to charge to its customers. - GMANews.TV