MANILA -- China-backed Dito Telecommunity kicked off commercial operations in the Philippines on Monday, marking a major milestone for President Rodrigo Duterte's goal of shaking up the country's long-standing telecom duopoly.
The long-awaited third player announced the launch of its mobile service in the central and southern provinces of Cebu and Davao, Duterte's home region, in an online event. The company plans to gradually expand into more areas, including Metro Manila, in the coming weeks, officials said.