The multi-awarded Negros Oriental Chamber of Commerce and Industry (NOCCI) has lauded the commendable pronouncement of Secretary Rodolfo Salalima of the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to finally allow the entry of a third telecommunications (telco) player in the country.
Sec. Salalima had made the announcement during the recent Telecoms Summit held at the PICC last March 9 to 10 in the presence of two telco industry giants, namely, PLDT and Globe Telecoms, said Edward Du, NOCCI president, on Monday.
NOCCI has repeatedly assured the public here of its efforts to help the government find solutions to the perennial problem of slow Internet connection and the “duopoly” being enjoyed by the two telcos in the country.
“As part of its advocacy, NOCCI has been trying to invite foreign telco players these past few years to break the duopoly of PLDT and GLOBE Telecoms but due to strong regulatory barriers, corruption, and government red-tape in securing congressional telco franchises, NTC (National Telecommunications Commission) licenses, local government permits, and peace and order concerns, NOCCI’s dream of attracting a 3rd telco player have remained elusive”, Du stressed.
With the recent pronounce of Sec. Salalima to allow competition in the telco industry, Du said NOCCI is confident it will now be easier to invite and attract a 3rd player to break the duopoly of PLDT and Globe.
Following the DICT executive’s pronouncement, NOCCI began receiving inquiries from a few foreign telcos on the process of securing a congressional telco franchise as well as the necessary NTC licenses and local government permits and clearances.
With the entry of another player in the telco industry, NOCCI is confident “the era of slow and expensive Internet service will soon be over” and that “business competitiveness and economic opportunities will be greatly enhanced with faster and affordable Internet, stressed Du.
NOCCI will do its best to attract the 4rd telco player “given our current influence and popularity in the Asian business community”, assured the chamber president.
“NOCCI has gained the respect of our peers in the Asian business community after winning the prestigious 2016 Best Chamber of Commerce in Asia (award)”, Du added. (JFP)
