PLDT 5G rollout pushed back to Q4 2020 due to COVID concerns

PLDT Inc. has set back the commercial rollout of fifth-generation (5G) services to the fourth quarter of the year, as the coronavirus disease has limited mobility for the company to push through as scheduled.

According to PLDT chief executive officer Manuel Pangilinan, the company is now working to be able to commercially roll out 5G services in the last three months of the year.

"I think it will be launched. We will start working on it at this time," he said during the company's virtual annual stockholder's meeting.

"I think the best time will be the fourth quarter this year," added Pangilinan.

The company earlier planned the commercial rollout of 5G in the first quarter of 2020, but was hit by restrictions put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Metro Manila, along with several high-risk areas, was under the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) from March 17 to May 15, followed by a modified enhanced community quarantine (MECQ) until May 31.

The Pangilinan-led firm reported a 5% decline in its core income to P6.9 billion from P7.2 billion in the same period last year.

PLDT last year already partnered with several firms, such as Cisco, to upgrade its IP transport infrastructure into a fully 5G ready network.

A study by Cisco released in March revealed that Philippine telecommunications companies stand to increase revenues by as much as $650 million from 5G starting 2025.—AOL, GMA News