PLDT unfazed by possible satellite rivals: ‘Let’s slug it out’

PLDT said it remains confident in its network leadership and is prepared to compete as new satellite connectivity players reportedly eye entry into the Philippine telecommunications market this year.

Speaking during the company’s recent earnings press conference, PLDT Chief Operating Officer and Network Head Menardo “Butch” G. Jimenez said the company welcomes competition while continuing to strengthen its own infrastructure and services.

“We don’t know exactly who is coming in or what specific services they intend to offer, but as with any potential entrant, we take competition seriously,” Jimenez said.

The executive stressed that PLDT’s strategy has always been to respond aggressively to new challengers while maintaining its focus on network performance and customer experience.

“Our job is to compete and to win,” he said. “Historically, it is easier to compete with new entrants than with players that already have established scale. Our strategy is to be proactive from day one.”

Jimenez also shared a cautious assessment of direct-to-cell satellite technology, which has gained global attention as companies race to expand satellite-powered mobile connectivity.

According to him, the technology still faces significant limitations based on current market tests and user experience.

“At this particular point in time, we’re not as scared of direct-to-cell technology,” Jimenez said. “Basic services such as SMS can take as long as four minutes to send and another four minutes to receive — if you’re lucky.”

He added that bandwidth-intensive applications such as video streaming remain impractical through current direct-to-cell satellite services.

“That said, these technologies will likely improve over time,” he noted.

Despite this, Jimenez acknowledged that satellite connectivity can still play an important role, particularly in geographically isolated and underserved areas where terrestrial infrastructure remains difficult to deploy.

“Satellite services can be useful, especially as redundancy in hard-to-reach areas,” he said. “But for everyday connectivity, customers expect fast, reliable, and seamless service.”

Jimenez also pointed to the extensive reach of PLDT and Smart Communications’ existing network infrastructure, noting that the group’s mobile coverage already reaches around 97 percent of the Philippine population.

“Our mobile coverage today reaches about 97 percent of the population,” he said, adding that satellite connectivity currently addresses only a specific set of use cases rather than the daily connectivity requirements of most Filipinos.

Still, the PLDT executive acknowledged that satellite technology is expected to rapidly evolve in the coming years, pushing traditional telecommunications companies to continue innovating.

“These services will get better, and when they do, we also have to get better,” Jimenez said. “Our focus remains on delivering the best possible service for the Philippines.”

He ended with a direct message to potential competitors entering the market.

“If they want to work with us Philippine telcos, then good. But if they want to directly compete with us, then let’s slug it out,” Jimenez said. “We are not going to back out from that fight.”