The Philippines is set to advance into a new era of digital connectivity, as PhilTower MIDC and DITO Telecommunity ink a landmark co-location agreement.
Beyond the immediate connectivity benefits, the partnership signals a paradigm shift in how the Philippines approaches telecom infrastructure. Tenancy ratios on the island have risen more slowly than the number of independent towercos, as mobile operators focused on striking build-to-suit or sale and leaseback deals with the country's towercos.
This co-location agreement opens up DITO's towers for co-location and creates a new impetus to lease up these sites under the management of PhilTower MIDC.
PhilTower MIDC will take charge of co-location management services for DITO’s telecom infrastructure. This means smoother, more efficient tower sharing among mobile network operators (MNOs), faster rollouts, and broader reach.
Ernesto “Eric” R. Alberto, CEO of DITO Telecommunity, emphasised the broader mission: “We’ve always been committed to breaking barriers and delivering world-class connectivity to every Filipino. Partnering with PhilTower MIDC unlocks new possibilities for network growth and ensures more families and businesses, especially in far-flung areas, get the connectivity they deserve.”
For PhilTower MIDC President and CEO Devid Gubiani, the deal is more than just infrastructure optimisation — it’s a leap toward true digital inclusivity. “We’re not just managing towers; we’re creating opportunities for the entire industry. By enabling the sharing of 6,500 towers, we’re speeding up the delivery of reliable, next-gen connectivity across the archipelago,” Gubiani shared.
The partnership is particularly significant for the Philippines for its focus on the country’s most challenging connectivity frontiers — Geographically Isolated and Disadvantaged Areas (GIDAs) where DITO has built much of its network. By extending co-location infrastructure to these regions, the collaboration promises to power up smart city initiatives, support local businesses, and bring essential digital services to where they’re needed most.
The DITO towers were the last major portfolio untouched by towercos, as Globe and Smart had signed sale and leasebacks for portions of their portfolios. TowerXchange is investigating further for more details on the transaction.
