MANILA - The Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) is looking to finish the selection process for the country's third major telecommunications company by December this year at the latest.

DICT Officer-in-Charge Eliseo Rio said Thursday the selection process may be finished even earlier.

“We would like to do it earlier, matagal na December. Tignan namin if there are enough participants and quality nila. If meron nang kayang makipag-compete sa Globe and Smart, go na,” Rio said during the public hearing on the selection process.

Rio disclosed that 15 local firms can qualify to bid. These companies, he said, already have a congressional franchise and are not affiliated with either PLDT or Globe.

Among these companies are PT&T, NOW, Converge ICT, Transpacific Broadband and Easycall.

Several are eyeing partnerships with foreign companies in South Korea, China, Vietnam and the United States.

Based on the standards set by the DICT, the new telco player should deliver high internet speed, provide wide network coverage and demonstrate financial stability.

Consumer group, Better Broadband Alliance, meanwhile called on the DICT to set the same high standards for PLDT and Globe.