Illegal reseller of Globe modems rebranded as Dito arrested

Ayala-led Globe Telecom Inc. on Wednesday said at least one unauthorized reseller of its modems illegally branded as that of Dito Telecommunity Corp. has been arrested by the police.

Suspect identified as a certain Marlou de Paz was arrested after a sting operation in Pala-Pala in Barangay Sampaloc, Dasmarinas, Cavite.

Authorities seized a Globe at Home Tozed S10g modem rebranded with Dito stickers from De Paz, who was found selling "openline Dito modems" on several Facebook community groups to Cavite residents.

According to Globe, De Paz stated in his post that any telco operator's sim card can be used for the unit to function, and openly claimed that the modems are the Tozed S10g Home Prepaid Wi-Fi device.

"Globe is currently the only authorized distributor of these Tozed S10G modems in the Philippines," it said in an emailed statement.

"The telco is taking the necessary steps in ensuring that its customers are well-protected from illegal activities concerning its products and devices," it added.

Globe earlier this month said it found that certain individuals and retail establishments are unlocking Globe At Home Wi-Fi modems and substituting their sims with a Dito Telecom sim.

For its part, Dito Telecom clarified that it has yet to release modems or pocket Wi-Fi products to the public.

Dito officially launched commercial services in March, in pilot areas in the Visayas and Mindanao. It expanded to the National Capital Region in May and has since reached 1 million subscribers.

The Dito consortium is made up of Uy's Udenna Corporation, Udenna's subsidiary Chelsea Logistics Holdings Inc., and Chinese state-owned China Telecommunications Corporation.—AOL, GMA News