PLDT’s wireless business gains more ground
Industry giant PLDT Inc. said the turnaround in its wireless business that gained ground in 2018 had continued through the first few months of this year.
PLDT chair and CEO Manuel V. Pangilinan said wireless units Smart Communications and TNT showed subscriber and revenue growth from January to February 2019.
“Wireless revenues are trending positively as well for March,” Pangilinan said last week as he described the performance as a “surprise.”
Oscar Enrico A. Reyes Jr., who heads PLDT’s consumer business, did not reveal specific figures. However, he noted that PLDT ended 2018 with 60 million mobile subscribers.
PLDT saw 2018 as a turning point for its wireless business, which in recent years had ramped up network investments to win back customers. The business has also suffered as traditional revenue sources such as text messaging and calls declined as subscribers shifted to internet-powered apps and social media.
For 2018, wireless revenues rose 7 percent to P62.5 billion. In previous years, PLDT relied heavily on its stable enterprise and home broadband segments to shore up growth. The enterprise and home groups last year grew by 10 percent to P38.4 billion and P36.4 billion, respectively.
Both the enterprise and home broadband businesses are also poised for growth this year.
The home segment, in particular, ended 2018 with 2.6 million broadband ports for its fiber service. —MIGUEL R. CAMUS
