By Eileen Mencias
Residents of Twin Oaks Place claimed that Greenfield’s exclusive tie-up with Leopard Connectivity Business Solutions Inc. prevented them from availing themselves of alternative fixed-line ISPs.
Greenfield is also the owner of Leopard Connectivity which provides fixed-line internet to all Greenfield properties.
According to Twin Oaks residents, Leopard Connectivity’s internet service is unreliable, slower and more expensive than the others.
According to PCC, Leopard Connectivity charges P2,699 a month for 20 Mbps, which could have fetched 50 to 75 Mbps from other ISPs. Its 40 Mbps plan costs P3,500 a month, almost the same price for 100 to 150 Mbps in other ISPs.
“As more Filipinos shift to working and learning from home under the new normal, property developers competing for the market of digital connectivity should not resort to unduly foreclosing competition and restricting choices for consumers, but compete on fair terms,” PCC enforcement director Orlando Polinar said.
While Twin Oaks Place is marketed as a smart home, it does not need to rely solely on Leopard Connectivity as an ISP because the automation features of the smart homes should still work even if the resident subscribes to another ISP.
“Abuse of dominance cases are evaluated with the end view of dismantling exploitative and exclusionary practices in business and ultimately empowering consumer choice. Under the Philippine Competition Act, an entity found to have abused its dominance in the market could face a fine of up to P110 million,” PCC chair Arsenio Balisacan said.
