NEDA: More telcos needed to advance digital shift

MANILA, Philippines — Even with the entry of a third player in the telecommunications sector, the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA) said more firms are still needed to advance digital transformation in the country.

NEDA Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon said many businesses were able to sustain operations during the pandemic due to the use of digital solutions, an indication that digital transformation in the country must be rapidly pursued in the near term to speed up the recovery process.

“During this pandemic, we saw that in some sectors, businesses were able to survive. And the key to this was digital transformation,” she said in a radio interview yesterday.

“Even some students were able to continue learning because their schools were able to offer online classes and they had access to technology.”

Before the onset of the pandemic, the entry of third telco player Dito Telecommunity was facilitated, spurring hopes of improved services in the industry amid tougher competition.

“Telcos have leveled up their services but are still lacking. Before the pandemic, we had our third telco but this is still not enough. We need more players that will give us good service” said Edillon.

Other than telecommunication services, the need for digital transformation extends to technology transfers in agriculture and government services.

NEDA has been pushing for the passage of amendments to the Public Service Act which will open up strategic industries to foreign investment and technology transfer.

She noted, however, that at the administrative level, the permitting process for the construction of cell sites have been eased.

With the pandemic seen to continue to rage this year, the country will likely remain under a prolonged lockdown.

Moves are also underway in Congress to amend the restrictive economic provisions in the Constitution.