PLDT Inc. and DITO Telecommunity have signed a landmark infrastructure-sharing agreement aimed at expanding network coverage, improving service reliability, and maximizing the use of existing telecommunications infrastructure across the Philippines.
The memorandum of understanding (MoU) outlines the companies’ intent to share infrastructure and capacity on a reciprocal basis instead of paying one another fees.
Under the agreement, PLDT, its wireless arm Smart Communications, and DITO will grant one another reciprocal rights to use eligible macro sites, allowing each operator to maximize the use of existing macro sites instead of building duplicate infrastructure.
The partnership also includes colocation for in-building solutions (IBS), enabling the companies to share telecommunications infrastructure within commercial buildings and other indoor locations.
In addition, the MoU covers submarine cable capacity through Indefeasible Right of Use (IRU) arrangements. An IRU is a permanent, irrevocable contractual agreement in the telecommunications sector that allows both operators to optimize the use of existing international connectivity assets.
According to the companies, maximizing existing infrastructure will expand network coverage, enhance service reliability, and deliver a better connectivity experience for customers nationwide. By reducing unnecessary duplication of network investments, the operators also expect to deploy capital more efficiently while supporting a more resilient and future-ready telecommunications ecosystem.
The agreement also comes as several Philippine news outlets point to growing pressure on operators to rein in network costs amid intense competition and relatively low average revenue per user (ARPU), making next-generation infrastructure increasingly expensive to build.
At the same time, operators continue investing in 5G networks while preparing for more compute-intensive artificial intelligence services, raising the cost of expanding digital infrastructure.
Based on the latest publicly available subscriber data from late 2025, the PLDT Group serves approximately 59 million mobile subscribers, 3.7 million fixed-line subscribers, and around 4.1 million fixed and fixed wireless broadband customers. DITO reported 15.2 million mobile subscribers and about 319,000 fixed wireless access users as of the end of September 2025.
Continue Reading: PLDT: Building a Connected, Competitive, and Compassionate Digital Philippines