NTC asked to shut down internet provider accused of having no license

Former Kabataan Rep. Terry Ridon, Infrawatch PH convenor (Photo from his Facebook account)

MANILA, Philippines—Former congressman Terry Ridon is asking the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to stop the operations of a little-known company providing fiber internet services to condominium buildings in Metro Manila.

Ridon, the convenor of think tank Infrawatch PH, alleged in an Oct. 4 letter to the NTC that Horizon Gateway Corp., which provides services under the Horizon Fiber brand, was doing business without government licenses.

Ridon said companies providing these services required permits from the NTC.

“We have not seen any representation or disclosure that it has been granted permits and licenses by the NTC to provide fixed-line, fiber-optic internet services to the public,” Ridon said in the letter.

Horizon has yet to respond to an Inquirer request for comment sent through its website. The NTC has also yet to respond as of press time.

Ridon said Horizon’s business came to his group’s attention after it received “reports and inquiries from various public stakeholders.”

On its website, Horizon called itself a “fast-emerging internet broadband services company” that was established in 2013 and was providing internet connectivity to condominiums in Makati, Ortigas, Quezon City, Fort Bonifacio Global City.

Documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission showed that Horizon Gateway was incorporated on Feb. 22, 2013 and is led by Herbert U. Dy as company president.

Its primary purpose was to engage in buying and selling of goods and services “of every kind and description”, including software, hardware and other information and communications technology equipment, e-commerce, microwave radios, wired and wireless data network, voice systems and other related telecommunications equipment.

The company also lists value added services under its secondary purpose. Its 2020 financial statement showed revenues of P22.78 million, up 3 percent from 2019, and a net loss of P3.78 million versus a P798,543 profit in 2019.

TSB