Digitel sets P16B for Sun expansion

Digitel Telecommunications Philippines, Inc. is allotting $393 million (P16 billion) for the expansion of its wireless brand Sun Cellular network for 2008. Digitel said it expects to double its wireless unit Digitel Mobile Philippines Inc.'s (DMPI) cell-site base by the end of 2008. "The company will expand coverage from current 2,200 cell sites to about 4,000 by end of year 2008," Digitel said in a statement. The amount is much higher compared to previous years when the company allocated between $200 million to $300 million. Sun Cellular invests P11 billion every year for additional network infrastructure. DMPI's three-year roll-out plan aims to increase the coverage of its cellular phone units to 91.1 percent of the country's cities and provinces by the middle of 2008. In 2007 Digitel posted consolidated revenues of P16.8 billion, up by 48.3 from P11.3 billion in 2006. As of end-December 2007, Digitel's cellular subscriber base stood at over 5.5 million up from 2 million in 2006.

in Malaya by Myla Iglesias
April 22, 2008
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