ICT
From The Report: Philippines 2019
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The Philippines’ ICT industry is embarking on an exciting period as a number of reforms and initiatives take effect and Congress debates legislation for further market liberalisation. Weak competition and the archipelago’s sprawling geography have contributed to the ICT industry’s difficulties in keeping pace with other countries in the region in terms of the scale and quality of its services. At the forefront of developments in the industry is the entrance of a third telecoms provider. While this is threatening the existing duopoly, it is expected to increase innovation, speed and coverage. Telecoms infrastructure improvements, combined with a number of legal and regulatory changes designed to drive competition and improve the provision of ICT services, are also opening the door to lucrative opportunities for domestic and overseas players. This chapter also contains an interview with Andrés Ortola, Country General Manager, Microsoft Philippines.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Turning tides: A new era is beginning for the industry as it works to increase speed, coverage and competitiveness
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The Philippines’ ICT industry is embarking on an exciting period as a number of reforms and initiatives take effect and Congress debates legislation for further market liberalisation. Weak competition and the archipelago’s sprawling geography means there is indeed much room for improvement: the business community has long noted the failure of the ICT industry to keep pace with other countries in the region in terms of the scale and quality of its services. At the forefront of developments…

Analysis

Make way: The government steps in to break a duopoly and secure another major telecoms provider for the country
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The country’s call for a third telecoms player stems from low competition and underinvestment in the industry, beginning with the more than 65-year monopoly held by PLDT. The stipulations required of the third provider are expected to see all players increase coverage rates, improve mobile internet speeds and offer more attractive packages. Early Forces In the late 1980s, amid 10-year waiting times to secure a telephone line, the government embarked on reforms that resulted in the 1993…

Interview

Transformative technology: Andrés Ortola, Country General Manager, Microsoft Philippines, on ensuring local businesses integrate digital solutions
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Interview:Andrés Ortola How can fast-growing economies in South-east Asia benefit from the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)? ANDRÉS ORTOLA: Despite lacking the investment or innovation capabilities of advanced economies, fast-growing economies like the Philippines are rich in local talent. Technology talent is a particular strength for the country, across all fields and industries. With the right support from the government, this skilled workforce will be instrumental in ensuring that…

Overview

Building blocks: Blockchain technology has applications that could revolutionise trade and provide opportunities for the developing world
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Blockchain – the distributed-ledger technology that underpins cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin – appears set to transform a wide variety of industries and perhaps fundamentally change the way business is conducted around the globe. While the technology is still taking off and its potential is not fully known, many emerging markets are hoping that it will allow them to leapfrog older infrastructure and tackle a range of challenges, including centralised database development, corruption and fraud, and persistently high transaction costs for electronic payments. Blockchain Explained A blockchain is a cryptographically protected, distributed…

Overview

Building blocks: Blockchain technology has applications that could revolutionise trade and provide opportunities for the developing world
OBG
plus

Blockchain – the distributed-ledger technology that underpins cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin – appears set to transform a wide variety of industries and perhaps fundamentally change the way business is conducted around the globe. While the technology is still taking off and its potential is not fully known, many emerging markets are hoping that it will allow them to leapfrog older infrastructure and tackle a range of challenges, including centralised database development, corruption and fraud, and persistently high transaction costs for electronic payments. Blockchain Explained A blockchain is a cryptographically protected, distributed…