The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has pulled the plug on NOW Telecom‘s mobile operator license. The decision comes after the company spectacularly failed to meet its network rollout targets, installing a mere six base stations out of the 2,306 it had promised. Talk about falling short.

Founded in 1992 as Satellite Paging Systems Philippines and rebranded as NOW in 2013, the company had been touting itself as the Philippines’ fourth major mobile operator. The NTC begs to differ. Their unanimous decision to revoke the license puts that claim firmly to rest.

Money problems didn’t help their case either. NOW Telecom currently owes a staggering ₱3.57 billion in unpaid regulatory fees. That’s ₱1.33 billion in principal plus ₱2.24 billion in penalties. Ouch. Previously, they’d announced plans to invest ₱7.8 billion over ten years for infrastructure. Might want to pay your bills first, folks.

Financial mismanagement crippled NOW Telecom with ₱3.57 billion in regulatory debt while promising billions for infrastructure.

The regulatory hammer didn’t fall without legal backing. The NTC’s decision is supported by Republic Act No. 7925 and Commonwealth Act No. 146, which allow for license revocation when providers fail to meet their obligations. The company now has a fortnight to appeal the decision. The commission declared NOW’s authority “inoperative” – bureaucrat-speak for “you’re done.”

NOW isn’t taking this lying down. They’ve announced plans to file a motion for reconsideration, claiming errors of law, fact, and disregard of due process. They “vehemently disagree” with the order. Well, they would, wouldn’t they?

Just last year, NOW had announced a partnership with Nokia to design its 5G network. The NTC detailed their assessment in a comprehensive 45-page order dated March 19 that outlines all the company’s deficiencies. That deal now hangs in the balance. The timing couldn’t be worse.

The license revocation sends a clear message to the telecommunications sector: the NTC means business when it comes to enforcing standards and obligations. Meet your targets. Pay your dues. Or get out of the game.

For NOW Telecom, the future looks uncertain at best. With massive debt and no license, their telecom dreams may have just turned into a very expensive nightmare.