Telecommunications duopoly challenger DITO Telecommunity Corp. is eyeing to double its current subscriber base of 14 million next year amid an aggressive network coverage expansion.

In an interview with reporters on Tuesday, DITO chief technology officer Rodolfo Santiago said the company already surpassed its full-year 2021 target of 12 million as early as August.

DITO chief administrative officer Adel Tamano asserted that the company, given the pace of its network rollout, hopes to "double or (corner) at least 25 million subscribers."

In September, DITO passed its third government-mandated technical audit measuring its compliance with its network coverage and internet speed commitments.

Certificate of Public Convenience
As part of the issuance of its Certificate of Public Convenience and necessity in July 2019, DITO needs to record 70.01 percent network reach with a minimum speed of 55 Mbps in the third year of its commitment period.

Citing audit findings, the National Telecommunications Commission said the third telco exceeded the required coverage during the period as it already covered 72.39 percent of the national population coverage. It also delivered 71.77 Mbps and 801.19 Mbps minimum average broadband speeds for all 4G and 5G sites, respectively.

If DITO fails to fulfill its commitments on time, the government forfeits, in its favor, the P25.7 billion performance bond that DITO paid before construction activities.

DITO has promised to cover 84 percent of the Philippines and offer a minimum average speed of at least 55 Mbps by the end of its commitment.

SIM card registration
Meanwhile, the NTC on Monday released the implementing rules and regulations of the Sim Card Registration Act signed into law by President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. last October.

In a radio interview on Tuesday, NTC consultant Edgardo Cabarrios urged the public to register their SIM cards ahead of the deadline to keep their mobile numbers active.

"We are asking the public to register to start December 27 if they don't have anything important to do," he said.