Filtered By: Money
Money

Duterte wants 3rd telco player from China ‘up and about’ in Q1 2018 —Palace


President Rodrigo Duterte wants the third telecommunications player from China to start providing services to consumers by the first quarter of 2018.

Once it starts operations in the Philippines, the Chinese firm will go up against telco giants Smart Communications Inc. and Globe Telecom.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque said in a briefing at Malacañang on Tuesday that the President wanted the Department of Information and Communications Technology and the National Telecommunications Commission to approve applications and licenses within seven days after complete requirements are submitted.

"The President has instructed DICT and the National [Telecommunications] Commission to ensure that the third telecom provider will be up and about by the first quarter of 2018, the first three months of 2018," he said.

"If it is not approved within seven days, it is deemed approved. That's how serious the President is in the entry of a third telecoms player," he added

Presidential Communications Secretary Martin Andanar earlier revealed that the Chinese government has chosen China Telecom Corporation Limited to enter the Philippines telecoms industry.

Asked if this directive was being rushed, Roque replied: "It is being rushed because we need desperately to have better telecoms in this country." — MDM, GMA News

LOADING CONTENT