Philippine's Smart Broadband has been granted a 20 MHz block of 2.5 to 2.7 GHz spectrum for Wimax services. The Smart Communications subsidiary asked for a 30 MHz block, but the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) issued only 20 MHz, The Manila Times reports citing an unnamed source. Other licence holders in the 2.5 to 2.7 GHz spectrum band are Globe's Innove Communications (15 MHz), Liberty Telecommunications Holdings (40 MHz), Bayan Telecommunications (5 MHz), Digital Telecommunications Philippines (15 MHz), and eTelco (15 MHz). Globe Telecom also has access to 30 MHz held by Altimax Broadcasting. Smart Broadband plans to use the spectrum for Wimax services, which the company plans to launch shortly. Smart Broadband also has access to a 30 MHz block in the 2.3 to 2.4 GHz band through its ownership of Primeworld Digital Systems.
