PLDT group said on Sunday the government’s pursuit of fair competition in the telecommunications industry, including its initiative to investigate cases and complaints involving exclusive partnerships for alleged “abuse of dominance,” is bolstering its efforts to improve connectivity.
In a joint statement e-mailed to reporters on Sunday, PLDT, Inc. and its wireless arm Smart Communications, Inc. expressed their support for the government’s initiatives “to ensure fair competition in the industry, [as] these boost PLDT and Smart’s efforts to improve customer experience.”
Aileen D. Regio, first vice-president and head of PLDT’s Regulatory and Strategic Affairs, said: “Entering exclusive developments remains a challenge, but we are committed to expand the coverage of our networks to serve as many Filipinos across the country.”
She said the group supports the Philippine Competition Commission’s (PCC) decision to form a task force “to investigate cases and complaints involving exclusive partnerships between condominiums, subdivisions, and other development property owners and internet service providers for ‘abuse of dominance.’”
The PCC announced in July that it formed a task force to look into exclusivity deals.
“Our first abuse of dominance case involved a condo-internet exclusivity deal that limited condominium residents’ choice of an internet service provider. More than a year after we had resolved the case, we started receiving various complaints and queries about similar cases,” PCC Chairman Arsenio M. Balisacan said in a statement.
“After reviewing the reports, we filed similar charges against another condo developer last February and are currently investigating a subdivision owner. Due to the number of such complaints, we have received and cognizant of the importance of internet services amid the pandemic, we set up a task force that will look into similar cases,” he added.
Alfredo S. Panlilio, PLDT and Smart president and chief executive officer, said: “We stand with our government, and grateful for these undertakings, as we work towards providing world-class connectivity for all Filipinos.”
“Together, we will continue to support our increasingly connected societies, especially in the new normal,” he added.
Hastings Holdings, Inc., a unit of PLDT Beneficial Trust Fund subsidiary MediaQuest Holdings, Inc., has a stake in BusinessWorld through the Philippine Star Group, which it controls. — Arjay L. Balinbin
