PLDT: “We want to maximize our frequencies with other technologies that we use.”
PLDT — The telecommunications giant is planning to end its third generation (3G) network in 2023 as only “less than 5% of devices use 3G”.
PLDT Chief Finance Officer Anabelle Chua said at a press briefing in Makati City last Thursday that the company intends to “sunset” its 3G network. According to her, there’s an opportunity to optimize the telco’s network with the shutdown of its 3G network eventually.
PLDT Network head Mario Tamayo, for his part, said that the telco was looking at “next year” to end its 3G network as the company wants to “maximize our frequencies with other technologies that we use”.
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Meanwhile, PLDT-Smart President and CEO Alfredo Panlilio said that the market was ready for the shutdown of 3G service.
According to Panlilio, the telco was on track to meet its 2022 targets as PLDT is targeting a core telco income of PHP 33 billion for this year.
GMA News Online reported that PLDT had a core telco income of PHP 17 billion, up 12% year-on-year, as of the first half of 2022. Based on the report, consolidated revenues stood at PHP 94.3 billion, up 5% from a year earlier.
Meanwhile, PLDT chairman Manuel Pangilinan said that the company expects stronger headwinds in the second half of this year.
“With so much pressure on growth, it is imperative that we stay focused on our strategic initiatives and manage costs,” Pangilinan said. “As for full-year profit guidance, we maintain telco core income at P33 billion, albeit some upside may be possible as portions of proceeds from the towers’ sale are used to pay down debts in the second half.“
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