5 local, 7 foreign firms interested in PH’s third telco slot

At least five local and seven foreign companies have expressed their interest in filling the country’s need for a third telecommunications network provider, according to the Department of Information and Communications (DICT).

President Rodrigo Duterte ordered to break the duopoly of PLDT Inc. and Globe Telecom Inc. in order to lower the cost of voice and data services as well as improve connectivity.

Acting DICT Secretary Eliseo Rio Jr. said that the local firms interested in filling the third telco spot include Converge, Now, PT&T, TiereOne, and Transpacific-Broadband.

Meanwhile, interested foreign companies come from Japan, Korea, China, Vietnam, Norway, and the US.

However, due to constitutional limits on foreign ownership, the foreign telcos would have to partner or form a joint venture with local companies.

Rio reminded that it is premature to say for sure that the telcos showing interest will actually participate in the bidding process. He said that they would have to submit bids or buy the bidding documents.

The bidding process may take one or two months from the day the final terms of reference took effect. Nevertheless, Rio said that the timeline could still be extended or shortened depending on the situation.

The DICT aims to name the third telco player before the year ends, with September or October as “best case scenario.”

via GMA News Online / Ted Cordero