China’s top 3 telcos interested in Philippines

MANILA, Philippines — China’s big three telecommunications companies are interested to enter the Philippine market, a move that could potentially put an end to the “duopoly” that has been a concern among many consumers.

China’s telecom market is currently served by three state-run operators namely China Mobile Ltd., China Telecom and China Unicom.

“They are all interested in the Philippines,” International Chamber of Commerce Philippines founding chairman and Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry chairman emeritus Francis Chua told The STAR.

“They have visited the Philippines before and are in contact with us,” added Chua, who is in charge of his organizations’ relations with their counterparts in China.

Chua said any of the three Chinese telecom players could be a good contender in the Philippine market.

“It is up to our government to choose the best one for us,” he added.

All three companies rank among the world’s 25 biggest telecom companies list by Forbes in 2017. China Mobile ranked third, China Telecom ninth, and China Unicom 24th.

During his bilateral meeting with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang last week, President Duterte offered China the privilege to operate as the third telecom carrier in the country, presidential spokesman Harry Roque said yesterday.

Duterte has long been calling for a third telco player in the Philippines so that consumers can enjoy better mobile and internet service.

The entry of a new player, however, is not seen as a problem by businessman Manuel Pangilinan, chairman and CEO of telco giant PLDT Inc., who earlier said his group was open to the entry of new players in the industry.

 “We’re not averse to anyone coming in whatever shape or form. I say that with all sincerity. They are welcome. This is a free economy and we’re not going to take any steps to oppose it because again we don’t want to be accused of maintaining this duopoly because they are tracing that to the poor internet service and complaints,” Pangilinan said.

The Philippine Competition Commission (PCC), for its part, is also backing the entry of a new telecom player in the country, saying this will result in better quality of service for customers.

 The country’s competition authority believes that both industry and the government can implement ways to improve the country’s internet speed.

“On PCC’s part, our role is to foster competition in the telecom market. This means opening up the market to more players and leveling the playing field between incumbents and entrants, between big and small players. This translates to more choices, better quality, and affordable services to consumers,” the PCC said.