Japan, South Korea express interest in telco business – Bam

Sen. Paolo Benigno "Bam" Aquino IV on Tuesday welcomed President Duterte’s recognition of the need for a healthy competition in the telecommunications (telco) industry but this should not be limited to inviting only one country.

He was referring to a bilateral talk between President Duterte and Chinese Premier Li Keqiang where the Philippine leader offered to the People’s Republic of China the privilege to operate the third telco carrier in the Philippines.

“If a small country like Singapore has six players in the telco sector, this happy competition should also be experienced in the Philippines,” said Aquino, who revealed that Japan and South Korea have expressed interest in joining the Philippine telco business.

There are at present two big

telco firms in the country but they are being criticized for their slow Internet services.

While pressing for the approval of the proposed Philippine Competition Act, Aquino said Japan and South Korea are interested in entering the Philippine telco sector.

Aquino said domestic cable operators want to form a big consortium to be able to compete with the big telcos.

Government, therefore, should make the entry of more telcos into the telco sector and eliminate red tape that would lead to better Internet services and lower rates, he added.