By Ashley Erika O. Jose, Reporter
A JAPAN-BASED telecommunication company is looking for to enter the Philippine market, adding to 2 US satellite service providers whose applications are already in advanced stages, in accordance with the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT).
“There’s one Japanese company that applied. It’s a full-blown telecommunication provider, with each satellite and terrestrial,” Information and Communications Technology Secretary Henry Rhoel R. Aguda told BusinessWorld on the sidelines of a labor summit on Monday.
He declined to discover the corporate, saying the appliance stays at an early stage.
“So, now now we have three applicants — the 2 US firms and this Japanese company,” he said.
The entry of more foreign telecommunication providers comes after the enactment of the Konektadong Pinoy Act, which liberalized participation in the information transmission sector by removing the congressional franchise requirement for qualified industry players.
The measure, which lapsed into law in August last yr, goals to streamline permitting and licensing procedures and promote infrastructure sharing to enhance connectivity services and competition.
Its implementing rules and regulations were signed in November.
Under the measure, data transmission industry participants may construct, establish, maintain, lease or operate data transmission networks and facilities without securing a legislative franchise.
Last month, the DICT said two US-based satellite providers are expected to start operations within the Philippines this yr, with their applications already under advanced review by the National Telecommunications Commission.
Last yr, the DICT said seven foreign firms had expressed interest in entering the Philippine market after the discharge of the law’s implementing rules.
PLDT Inc. said in May that the entry of satellite telecommunication providers is unlikely to significantly alter market dynamics within the near term due to coverage limitations and the high operating costs related to direct-to-cell services.