PLDT eyes higher capex for 2019 to aggressively finance 5G rollout!

PLDT Inc. may raise its capital expenditures (capex) for 2019 to finance the aggressive rollout of its wireless services and fifth generation (5G) network, its chief said.

Smart 5G in Clark

To aggressively finance 5G rollout!

Manuel V. Pangilinan, PLDT chair and chief executive officer, told reporters last week the group’s capex may be "elevated," higher than the PHP 58 billion set for this year.

Wireless is still a significant portion, especially now that we’re going to spend. So, we’re expanding some 3G, a lot of 4G sites and then beginning to build out the 5G. 

Pangilinan was optimistic for PLDT's wireless and home business segments as they continue to post promising growth in the market.

Related: Smart successfully made the first 5G video call in the Philippines

For 2019, the telco giant is set to boost its Home and Enterprise portfolio as the segments would be the first to experience PLDT’s 5G technology. 

While there are no available 5G-compatible devices in the market yet, Pangilinan expects the handsets to be available by late of next year. 

The Pangilinan-led group as well as its rival Globe Telecom will be welcoming a new competitor in 2019 as the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) declared Mislatel, a consortium composed of China Telecommunications, Udenna Corp., and Chelsea Logistics Corp., as the third telco player. 

We hope PLDT’s higher spending can really improve the country’s telco services.

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Source: PNA