Copying and distributing are prohibited without permission of the publisher
PLDT steps up search for strategic partner
01 May 1999
The Philippine Long Distance Company (PLDT) is the country's incumbent telco. In November 1998 First Pacific increased its holding in PLDT to 27.4%. Now PLDT is being merged with Smart and Piltel and the company is seeking a foreign strategic partner. Manuel Pangilinan, managing director of First Pacific and president and CEO of PLDT talks to Global Telecoms Business.
The telecoms market in the Philippines was liberalized in 1994. At
one stage the incumbent, the Philippine Long Distance Telephone
Company (PLDT), faced nine competitors. However, only a minority of
the competitors managed to comply with government demands for the
installation of at least 300,000 exchange lines within three years
of entry.
Smart Communications, owned by Indonesia's First Pacific, was one
of the most successful new entrants, becoming the largest cellular
provider in the Philippines. In November 1998 First Pacific, which
already had direct and indirect stakes in PLDT, acquired a further
17.2% share of the operator for $750 million. This increased First
Pacific's holding to 27.4% and gave the company a controlling
interest.
First Pacific subsequently announced plans to fold Smart into
PLDT. It is likely that this will involve a share swap. Piltel,
another cellular operator, which has under-performed and recorded
significant debts, will also be merged...
Access to this content is denied because you are not logged in. Please login to view this content
Already have an account?
Subscribe
Subscribers have unlimited access to all current and archive content. Start your
subscription today - click on the button below.
Free trial
Taking a free trial will give you access to the current issue for two weeks (excluding
some surveys and articles). Start your free trial today.
