MANILA -- Fifth generation mobile technology or 5G is a "major" investment for PLDT Inc, its president, Manuel Pangilinan said, as the company braces for the entry of a third telecommunications player.

PLDT has sought the help of its Japanese partner, NTT DoCoMo on the utilization and rollout of 5G with a possible commercial rollout by 2020, Pangilinan said.

Both PLDT and rival Globe Telecom have announced partnerships with China Huawei Technologies for their shift to 5G.

"I think we would be asleep at our job if somebody else gets ahead of us in terms of launch," Pangilinan told a stockholders' meeting late Wednesday.

• Globe launches 5G push to speed up internet service

• PLDT, China's Huawei join forces in 5G deal

$TEL Chairman @iamMVP says their 2018 goals are 1. Keep Wireless Business on growth path. 2. For Home and Entetprise to continue powering overall growth. 3. Raise level of network services. 4. Step up efforts to improve customers’ digital experience. @ABSCBNNews @ANCALERTS pic.twitter.com/J97TkuiAek

— Warren de Guzman (@wddeguzman) June 13, 2018

Uncertainty over the selection of the third telecommunications player is taking its toll on PLDT's share price, Pangilinan said.

"Until that matter is resolved with some degree of certainty, our share price will be under pressure. We don’t know who it is, we don’t know how they will behave," he said.

Efforts to find a foreign partner for PLDT's digital services unit Voyager have not progressed, he said.

"We have been waiting and waiting, On our part we have to assume it is a no-go," he said.

• Third telco could leapfrog competition by going straight to 5G
• Gov't working on 'strong' third telco selection rules

-- report from Warren de Guzman, ABS-CBN News