The MOU's primary objective is to establish a voluntary site-blocking practice against the unauthorized distribution and sale of pirated content over the Internet and set an example for other stakeholders who are not yet signatories to the agreement.
The planned Asia Link Cable (ALC) will be approximately 6,000 kilometers in length, connecting Hong Kong and Singapore as its trunk, with branches into the Philippines, Brunei Darussalam and Hainan, China.
In a statement on Tuesday, Aug. 8, Smart Communications vice president for regulatory affairs Roy Ibay said DITO’s complaint is diversionary tactic to escape liability on the fines imposed by the government for its fraudulent voice traffic.
Dito also brushed off suspicions that China has control of the new telco, which is majority-owned by Davao-based businessman Dennis Uy, a close friend of President Duterte.