The NTC has issued 3G licenses to four companies -- Smart Communications Inc., Globe Telecom Inc., Digital Telecommunications Phils. Inc. (Digitel), and Connectivity Unlimited Resource Enterprise Inc. (CURE).

Each company has put up P300 million (US$5.7 million) as performance bond to guarantee the delivery of 3G mobile services by 2008. After assigning frequencies early this month, all four players are mandated by the NTC to rollout 3G, using the WCDMA standard, within the next 30 months.

'The NTC is finalizing a supplemental order on the rules and regulations on (3G) frequency use,' NTC commissioner Ronald Solis said before assigning frequencies to the four companies in a closed-door meeting.

The NTC has assigned frequency spectrum 1920-1965MHz/2110-2155MHz for 3G. After assigning respective channels to the four would-be 3G operators, the NTC will hold in 'abeyance' unassigned frequencies 1965-1980MHz/2165-2180MHz.

'These (frequencies) will be put on hold pending future applicants,' Solis said. 'I expect most, if not all, of the five (companies) who did not qualify to re-apply.'