COUNTRY FOCUS : PHILIPPINES
MNOs in the Philippines expand 5G network reach
The major telcos in the Philippines saw a strong recovery in their financials in 2022 , a new report from ResearchAndMarkets . com reveals .
Globe Telecom reported a record high service revenue in 2022 , supported by strong data revenue which accounted for 81 % of the total – mobile revenue was the second highest yet recorded by the company .
PLDT also had a very strong year in 2022 , producing record results with revenue increasing 4 % year-on-year , and EBITDA also increased 4 %.
The report confirms PLDT and Globe Telecom have maintained their dominance of the Philippines telecom market , despite having their duopoly status having been removed by the government in 2017 .
Two new entrants – DITO Telecommunity and NOW Telecom – have since become the third and fourth operators , but the report says delays in their respective launch programs saw them having only a minimal impact on market share .
Nevertheless , the report says , DITO reported having 15 million subscribers at the end of 2022 – showing strong growth since the launch of services .
The report recognises the Philippine government remains ‘ keen and committed ’ to seeing strong competition , growth and service excellence in the telecom sector , so there is likely to be continued support ( financially as well as through legislation such as enabling mobile tower sharing and number portability ) to ensure that the sector remains viable for emerging players .
The report says the mobile sector will remain the Philippines primary market for telecommunications well into the future with the unique terrain and resulting challenges associated with accessing remote parts of the archipelago meaning , in many areas , fixed networks are neither cost-effective nor logistically viable .
Both PLDT and Globe Telecom are recognised in the report as continuing to roll out fixed networks in some urban areas where it remains feasible to do so – primarily to support fixed broadband or , in Globe Telecom ’ s case , fixed wireless services .
However , the report identifies bulk of telecoms investment over the coming years will continue to be in 5G and 5G-enabled LTE networks . Coverage of LTE and 5G networks extends to over 95 % of the population and for the vast majority of people mobile will likely remain their only platform for telecom services .
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