MANILA -- The National Telecommunications Commission on Monday confirmed as the new major telecommunications player, a consortium composed of China Telecom and tycoon Dennis Uy.

The NTC's disposal of appeals against the award to Mislatel, paved the way for the firm to secure the confirmation, Department of Information and Communications Technology officer-in-charge Eliseo Rio earlier said.

Mislatel secured "provisional" third telco rights on Nov. 7 after regulators disqualified its 2 rivals, Philippine Telegraph and Telephone Corp or PT&T and Sear, which includes former Ilocos Sur Gov. Luis "Chavit" Singson.

Mislatel pledged to provide 27 mbps on its first year and 55 mbps on its second year, bringing internet speed close to that in Singapore.

The consortium stands to lose P24 billion and the allocated frequencies if it fails to fulfill its commitments, Rio had said.

PT&T on Friday questioned before the Supreme Court its disqualification from the bidding. The NTC said PT&T failed to produce a certification of 10 years experience.