PCC: Poor Internet service continues a year after PLDT-Globe’s buyout

The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC) yesterday stressed that the public continues to complain of the poor quality of Internet a year after PLDT and Globe acquired San Miguel Corp. (SMC) telco business for R69.1 billion.

PCC issued a statement after the CA released its decision upholding the duopoly of PLDT and Globe following the acquisition.

The CA decision permanently stops PCC from conducting pre-acquisition review of the buyout. The CA decision, however, said, that approval of the deal does not remove PCC’s power from conducting post-acquisition review.

PCC Chairman Arsenio Balisacan said they have yet to receive the official copy of the decision from the Court of Appeals.

“Rest assured, however, that we will take the appropriate legal steps to move this multi-billion acquisition case forward,” PCC said noting a firm resolve to perform its mandate under the law.

Notably, PCC said that a year after the sale, the public continues to complain of slow, expensive and poor quality of Internet and mobile services.

“If anything, this has further fueled our determination to safeguard the market and promote the interests of consumers,” the PCC statement added. It could be recalled that the two telcos said the acquisition would result in better Internet services.

The PCC is a national government agency duly mandated by law to review mergers and acquisitions for their possible negative impact on fair competition in the market.