If you notice puddles of salty water around Metro Manila today, it could be because of the collective tears from those hurt and disappointed that the San Miguel Corp-Telstra partnership — and the promise of cheaper and faster Internet service in the country — is no longer happening.
The local beer brand announced that it was talking to the Australian telco late last year, with Telstra reportedly investing USD1 billion for the wireless joint venture.
Today SMC president and COO Ramon Ang told Philippine Daily Inquirer that both parties have agreed to stop discussions and that “both SMC and Telstra worked hard to come up with an acceptable resolution to some issues.”
There is a silver lining, however. It looks like SMC is going ahead with their plan to provide “better, cheaper service” since “the physical infrastructure for the wireless service is nearing completion with cell sites being almost fully deployed in Metro Manila and in provinces immediately to the north and south of the National Capital Region.”
Telstra, according to the report, will stay on as a consultant.
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