DUTERTE OFFERS CHINA : NEW TELECOMS ROLE

Manila : Philippines President Rodrigo Duterte has offered China the 'privilege' of being the country's third telecoms operator, his spokesman said on Monday-

Turning to a historic rival to break a long standing duopoly that has frustrated consumers for years.

The Philippines data and voice services rank among the Asia-Pacific's slowest and most intermittent, and Duterte last year warned providers PLDT Inc and Globe Telcom Inc to shape up or face new competition.

Duterte made the offer last week to visiting Chinese Premier Li Keqiang, the latest sign of his pursuit of closer political and economic ties with a country with which the Philippines has a long history of territorial disputes and mistrust.

''The good news is consumers can look forward now to a better telecommunications, not just in terms of cellular technology but also in terms of Internet speed, as well as access.''  presidential spokesman Harry Roque told a media briefing.

''The announcement is that telecoms duopoly is about to end.''  No specific Chinese company had been lined up, Roque said.

Chinese telecom equipment maker ZTE Corp won a $330 million contract from the Philippine government to set up a broadband network linking state agencies in 2007-

But the deal was scrapped that year over allegations of corruption.

It was high time a third player entered the market to boost competition, said Pierre Galla, co-founder of ICT advocacy group Democracy.Net.PH.