PRRD invites China to operate telco in PH
MANILA -- President Rodrigo Duterte has offered China the opportunity to become one of the key players in the Philippines telecommunications industry, Malacañang said on Monday, November 20.
Presidential Spokesperson Harry Roque said Duterte made the offer during his bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang last November 15.
"During the bilateral talks between President Duterte and the Chinese Premier, President Duterte offered to the People’s Republic of China the privilege to operate the third telecom carrier in the country," Roque said in a press conference.
"This is the latest instance of the President proving that he has the political will to do what is necessary to benefit the Filipino people," he added.
The telecommunications industry is currently dominated by Smart Communications and Globe Telecom. Roque said the government wants to end this "duopoly" and invite other telecom firms, or telcos.
With China's possible entry, he said the public can expect improved telecommunications services.
"I repeat, the announcement is that duopoly, that telecoms duopoly is about to end with the entry of the Facebook subsidiary as well as the offer by the President of the People’s Republic of China to operate the third telecom carrier," the presidential spokesman said.
"So the good news is, the consumers can look forward now to better telecommunications, not just in terms of cellular technology but also in terms of internet speed as well as access," he added. SunStar Philippines