FORMER Iloilo Vice Gov. Rolex Suplico on Tuesay cautioned the government with its deal with telecommunications company Telstra and San Miguel Corp. (SMC).
Suplico, a former congressman representing the province’s Fifth District, told repoters in Quezon City that the government, particularly the National Telecommunications Commission, should first study the Telstra-SMC deal.
“There are many legalities and technicalities involved here,” he said.
Suplico, who filed an impeachment complaint against former President Gloria Arroyo in connection with the allegedly anomalous ZTE National Boradband Network (ZTE-NBN) contract, said Telstra and SMC may eventually use ZTE to build its broadband network in the Philippines.
ZTE, he said, “has blood in its hand,” as far as corruption is concerned, and, while he said he has no proof of bribery, Telstra’s entry should be scrutinized, nevertheless.
Suplico said the government should look into the possible need for congressional approval on Telstra’s entry, or review of frequency allocation.
A telecommunciations lawyer, Suplico said he decided to speak out on the issue of Telstra’s entry to prevent another ZTE-NBN corruption scandal.
He also doubt that Telstra’s promised Internet speed is incredible and something that needs to be look into, citing a study by Australian think tank Creator Tech Pty. Ltd. which says Telstra’s entry may cost the public more than what is expected, because Telstra will have to spend more to build its infrastructure in the Philippines.
According to Creator Tech, Telstra may need to triple its planned $1.4-billion investment in the Philippines to build a 4G network in the country.
Suplico said this means that Telstra may have to pass on to consumers to recover from the huge cost of infrastructure facility it needs to deliver its promises.
According to Suplico, Australian themselves are no strangers to telstra’s high fees. In fact, he said, Australia is the most expensive region when it comes to Internet fees.
Suplico said, however, there is really a need to improve the Internet speed in the country, but he said the government should do its part and invest in the needed infrastrucure.
Regulators, he said, should look for other solutions to slow Internet speed, including a review of the optimal allocation of limited frequencies.
“We all want Internet speed. I want Internet speed. What I am saying is that the government should be cautious. The government should look into Telstra’s entry very carefully. Study the legal aspects of the deal between Testra amd SMC because in the end, the cure may be worse than the disease,” Suplico said.
4 comments
This former governor is a ignorant joke. There are open market competition in the telecommunication sector of this country. If the consumers don’t like Telstra’s services and charging fees, they will choose services from other telco companies. Telstra will have to make careful decision on their investment and charging fees so that their services can attract more subscribers. Otherwise, they will lose and go broke.
The former governor talks as if Telstra will be a monopoly in this country, and do whatever they want. It is not, obviously.
you are taking it personal.. what’s with the ZTE shit? do not put your personal shit on any business matters.any argument beyond is invalid. period.
Fucking retard.. the government has nothing to do with them their deal is their deal.. the competition is between PLDT globe and Telstra/SMC wag mo isama ang gobyerno dito.
like in any fucking MMORPG games pag nakialam ang mga game master at namigay ng high level items sa isang player.. the economy will fall, wala ni isang MMORPG game ang nag tagal ng 10 taon because of corruption.
ang pakikialam mo sa deal ng isang business ay isang corruption. wag ka makialam at hayaan mo ang balance ng market mag decide Tang ina mo ka.
there’s ” no justification whatsoever for bad behaviour,” more specifically foul language. we are all just trying to get our ideas heard.
I don’t see him dissing either PLDT or Globe. So the question is, which of them and how much did they pay you to diss an upcoming Telco?