A Third Player's Entry May Have To Wait A Bit Longer

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OPINIONS, TECHNOLOGY | January 27, 2018

(Image Source: Philstar.com)

Many tech enthusiasts were optimistic about the possible entry of a third telecommunications company in the Philippines and have thought that the government will make the announcement on which company is going to enter our local shores by the first quarter of 2018, possibly by March. However, it seems that the anticipated moment would have to wait a bit longer. 

More than 30 companies from different parts of the globe have already expressed their intention to enter the Philippine telecoms industry which has been dominated by PLDT and Globe Telecom for years. Also hoping to end the duopoly are local companies PT&T, NOW Corporation and Converge ICT Solutions and even ZTE which is yet to make a renewed coming after a controversial endeavor that happened more than a decade ago.

As the search for the third telco begins to make haste, it is then that we have learned what will transpire throughout the search and it is clear that it won't make the March 2018 deadline. Instead, the government has realized through an initial consultation that the process may be longer than expected. Once the process makes its conclusion, it is possible that the third telco player will be announced after the observance of the Holy Week. This would surely cause a disappointment in the faces of both the enthusiasts and the savvy.

On the other hand, delays for the possible entry did not hinder the continuing efforts of both PLDT and Globe in improving its network and services for the benefit of their subscribers and answer the challenges that the industry is facing. Simply put, they are keen in keeping a fair competition in the telecoms scene and that would eventually become their advantage despite mixed criticisms from the public eye. Nevertheless, a third telco is set to become a game changer which will gain traction in the near future and make internet services in the Philippines at par with other countries or maybe beyond that.