ICT
From The Report: Philippines 2018
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While the Philippines has a robust economy with sound macroeconomic fundamentals, its telecoms sector still lags behind global standards, in large part due to a lack of competition and limited investment. In spite of this, the domestic telecoms market is ripe for change and set to welcome a major new player, following the pres¬ident’s promise to accelerate network modernisation. Consequently, rising capital expenditure in communi¬cations infrastructure, as well as spectrum reallocation, is set to revolutionise the digital landscape. Under the national Build, Build, Build agenda, the incumbent administration wants to transform the Philippines into an upper-middle income nation by 2022. To achieve this target, limitations on foreign ownership within the telecoms industry will be lifted to attract investment. This chapter contains interviews with Ernesto R Alberto, Executive Vice-president and Chief Revenue Officer, PLDT; and President and CEO, ePLDT; and Hans Bayaborda, Managing Director, Microsoft Philippines.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Calling all competitors: Network expansion efforts accelerate amid growing demand for data and the anticipated entrance of a third mobile player
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While the Philippines has a robust economy with sound macroeconomic fundamentals, its telecoms sector still lags behind global standards, in large part due to a lack of competition and limited investment. In spite of this, the domestic telecoms market is ripe for change and set to welcome a major new player, following the president’s promise to accelerate network modernisation. Consequently, rising capital expenditure in communications infrastructure, as well as spectrum reallocation, is…

Analysis

The missing ingredient: Despite its delayed arrival, establishing a third mobile provider remains at the forefront of government plans for the industry
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The Philippine telecoms sector is in the process of making a critical step forward as it awaits the entrance of a new operator. As of May 2018, the telecoms market was dominated by two mobile providers, Globe Telecom and PLDT, formerly the Philippine Long Distance Telephone. While it previously seemed the duopoly’s hold on the market was set to end with the entrance of San Miguel Corporation, the local conglomerate abandoned the bid to form a joint venture with Australia’s Telstra in…

Interview

Digital drive: Officer, PLDT Ernesto R Alberto, Executive Vice-president and Chief Revenue Officer, PLDT; and President and CEO, ePLDT, on advancing the digitalisation of local businesses
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Interview: Ernesto R Alberto How advanced is digital innovation among Philippine businesses compared to those in the region? ERNESTO ALBERTO: Innovation in the Philippines relates to two primary factors. Firstly, Filipinos have positioned the country to be the preferred destination for outsourcing, both in call centres and the more complex business process outsourcing (BPO) segment, allowing them to host nearly 500 new corporate entities and directly employ 1.5m people, while also bringing about…

Interview

Data driven: Hans Bayaborda, Managing Director, Microsoft Philippines, on expanding the country’s digital potential
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Interview:Hans Bayaborda How do you assess the feasibility of the government’s National Broadband Plan (NBP)? HANS BAYABORDA: The plan is a necessary step forward in the digital transformation of the Philippines as the government seeks to provide telecommunications services, such as broadband internet, to underserved or unserved areas throughout the country. The initiative is a huge undertaking, with the Department of Information and Communications Technology estimating P77.9bn ($1.5bn)…

Overview

Technically sound: Increased spending and adoption of digital services is sustaining the industry on its upward trajectory
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Online engagement is on the rise in the Philippines as the country gradually transitions towards a digital economy, with its increased appetite for e-services providing a good basis for growth in the ICT sector. Digital Landscape As a result of a dynamic business process outsourcing (BPO) industry, the Philippines’ ICT sector has generated significant income in recent years. This has led to urban centres playing host to tech-literate communities. However, as in the telecoms market, the…

Analysis

Need for speed: Execution of national plan and suggested policy reforms are aimed at enhancing broadband services
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To help boost internet penetration further and foster the benefits associated with it, the government has strengthened its commitment to building telecoms infrastructure. As such, the expansion of the national broadband network has been highlighted as an important pillar that will improve the ease of doing business, while at the same time increase macroeconomic stability and promote inclusive growth. Connection According to the “Global Digital Report 2018” released by communications…