PLDT raises concerns over provisions in Konektadong Pinoy bill
ADVERTISEMENT
Welcome, Kapamilya! We use cookies to improve your browsing experience. Continuing to use this site means you agree to our use of cookies. Tell me more!
PLDT raises concerns over provisions in Konektadong Pinoy bill
MANILA – PLDT Inc on Tuesday said it was concerned about several provisions in the Konektadong Pinoy Act which company officials have said are prone to “exploitation.”
MANILA – PLDT Inc on Tuesday said it was concerned about several provisions in the Konektadong Pinoy Act which company officials have said are prone to “exploitation.”
During PLDT’s annual stockholder’s meeting, senior legal adviser Marilyn Aquino said that the company welcomes competition that is “fair and sustainable” but there are issues surrounding the Konektadong Pinoy Act that are needed to be addressed.
During PLDT’s annual stockholder’s meeting, senior legal adviser Marilyn Aquino said that the company welcomes competition that is “fair and sustainable” but there are issues surrounding the Konektadong Pinoy Act that are needed to be addressed.
“There are features in the Konetadong Pinoy that could be exploited,” she said.
“There are features in the Konetadong Pinoy that could be exploited,” she said.
“For example telcos like us are required to build infrastructure to support and to improve service to our subscribers [but] there are no such obligations imposed on new entrants involved in data transmission. They can come in and the law opens all assets to them, so where it the symmetry there?” she added.
“For example telcos like us are required to build infrastructure to support and to improve service to our subscribers [but] there are no such obligations imposed on new entrants involved in data transmission. They can come in and the law opens all assets to them, so where it the symmetry there?” she added.
ADVERTISEMENT
She cited some “predatory tactics” in other countries that resulted in “detriment of subscribers.”
She cited some “predatory tactics” in other countries that resulted in “detriment of subscribers.”
Aquino also cited concerns on cybersecurity, highlighting the need to apply the same regulatory standards to foreign-owned entrants, such as satellite operators, as well as the same Constitutional power over new players in order to uphold national security.
Aquino also cited concerns on cybersecurity, highlighting the need to apply the same regulatory standards to foreign-owned entrants, such as satellite operators, as well as the same Constitutional power over new players in order to uphold national security.
PLDT Chairman Manny Pangilinan meanwhile said the telco is in favor of competition but it is seeking for a fair environment.
PLDT Chairman Manny Pangilinan meanwhile said the telco is in favor of competition but it is seeking for a fair environment.
“We’re prepared to compete, we will not ask for special favors but neither should special favors be given to external operators,” he said.
“We’re prepared to compete, we will not ask for special favors but neither should special favors be given to external operators,” he said.
“All we're asking is a level playing field when it comes to competition, we don’t ask for tariff protection, for protective measures but let's be fair to both them and to us,” he added.
“All we're asking is a level playing field when it comes to competition, we don’t ask for tariff protection, for protective measures but let's be fair to both them and to us,” he added.
ADVERTISEMENT
The Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO) and the Philippine Association of Private Telecommunications Companies (PAPTELCO) earlier expressed concerns over the bill.
The Philippine Chamber of Telecommunications Operators (PCTO) and the Philippine Association of Private Telecommunications Companies (PAPTELCO) earlier expressed concerns over the bill.
The groups raised the removal of Congressional franchise for new telco players entering the country, as proposed under the bill. They also noted concerns on allowing foreign-controlled firms to handle critical information infrastructure (CII) without “financial, technical, or legal checking.”
The groups raised the removal of Congressional franchise for new telco players entering the country, as proposed under the bill. They also noted concerns on allowing foreign-controlled firms to handle critical information infrastructure (CII) without “financial, technical, or legal checking.”
The Konektadong Pinoy bill aims to expand internet access in the country by easing entry of new players. It was approved by the Senate on its third reading in February.
The Konektadong Pinoy bill aims to expand internet access in the country by easing entry of new players. It was approved by the Senate on its third reading in February.
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
