Telco giant PLDT Inc. Is bracing for a difficult third quarter amid increased competition and higher costs to expand its data business.

PLDT chair Manuel V. Pangilinan said the group’s wireless subscriber base slightly declined from 64.47 million subscribers at the end of June this year.

?It?s really wireless being the epicenter of the issue. It’s going to be a tough third quarter, Pangilinan told reporters on t the sidelines of PLDT?s #Betheboss awards. ?

PLDT had a disappointing second quarter after profits fell 33 percent due to continued provisioning for its
Investment in Germany-based Rocket Internet SE as well as flat earnings from its mobile-phone, data and landline.