Poe: Senate has key role in 3rd telco pick

The Senate committee on public services will “exercise oversight functions” over the selection of a third telco player, which the government hoped would lead to better telecommunications services, according to Sen. Grace Poe.

Poe, the committee chair, set a hearing on Monday at the Senate session hall on developments in the government’s process to pick a third telco player.

In a statement on Sunday, Poe said the Senate needed to be apprised of developments on the selection of the third telco player, which could be known by next month.

Poe said her committee “will play a major role in tackling the congressional franchise of the applicant.”

Competition

“We need to have meaningful competition in public utilities, like telecommunications, that will translate to lower costs and better service,” she said.

The entry of a third telco player was meant to break the duopoly in the telecommunications sector, which is dominated by Globe Telecom and PLDT Inc.

Poe said the Philippines’ global rank in internet speed was “near the bottom” and that the country had one of the most expensive mobile and data rates.

Officials of telecommunications companies were also invited to the hearing.