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In an interview over the weekend, incoming President Rodrigo Duterte addressed the country’s telecommunications companies, which, as everyone knows, has gotten flak for their slow connectivity speeds and problematic customer service schemes.

Duterte has already said in past interviews that he has observed the “slow service” of telecommunications firms. (Watch the video clip from CNN Philippines, which features an interview during the campaign period.)

Duterte was quoted as saying, “For the communications guys, iyung Internet connectivity, you improve the service or I will open the Philippines to competition. Pasok lahat. Then it will bring down [the price] and increase efficiency.”

“A 2015 Ookla Speedtest showed that consumer download speeds in the Philippines ranked 176th out of 202 countries. The cost per megabit per second in the Philippines is also one of the most expensive with an average value of $18.18, versus the global average of $5.21,” noted Dharel Placido on ABS-CBNnews.com.

The report also recalled: “The entry of Australian telco firm Telstra in the Philippines, through a joint venture with local partner San Miguel Corp., had threatened to disrupt the duopoly of telco giants Globe Telecom and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT).

“However, the venture did not push through after both sides failed to reach an agreement . Despite the failed talks, San Miguel said it will pursue its plans to enter the telecom market.

“Telstra, meanwhile, has offered to continue technical work design and construction consultancy support to the Philippine company.”

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