PRESIDENT Rodrigo Duterte has approved the creation of an oversight committee that will pave the way for the entry of a third telecommunications company in the Philippines, Malacañang said Wednesday.
Duterte signed Administrative Order 11 creating the oversight committee composed of representatives from the Department of Information and Communications Technology, Department of Finance, Office of the Executive Secretary and the National Security Adviser.
The AO, signed on April 6, says telecommunications is an essential infrastructure for the country’s economic development and competitiveness.
Based on the Global Information Technology Report 2016 of the World Economic Forum, the Philippines has one of the most expensive telecommunications services in Southeast Asia, with an affordability level for entry-level broadband services higher than the threshold set by the United Nations Broadband Commission.
Duterte’s order also says the entry of a new major player in the telecommunications market will benefit the public and ensure genuine competition, which is monopolized by telecoms firms Smart and Globe.
Duterte earlier said he wanted a new telecommunications company operating by March 2018, but it was moved to May before it was again moved to either the end of June or July.
Roque earlier said Duterte asked China to become the third telecommunications operator in the Philippines during his meeting in Malacañang with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in November last year.