MANILA - PLDT Inc said Thursday the COVID-19 pandemic "slightly deferred" its 5G rollout as it looked to more opportunities in the digital space.

PLDT cut its capital expenditure this year to P60 billion from P83 billion due to lockdowns that limit mobility of its workers, said Alfredo Panlilio chief revenue officer of both PLDT and its mobile unit, Smart Communications.

"5G of course is part of the rollout, part of the plans to rollout in 2020, so that will be slightly deferred," he said.

The new normal will be driven by digital, providing opportunities in entertainment, media and content. PLDT is looking at opportunities in e-learning, e-health, and commerce, he said.

"There are a lot of platforms that can run on the digital platform. In fact we’re crafting with MVP what we see as a new normal and a lot of that will be driven by digital," Panlilio said, referring to PLDT President Manuel Pangilinan.

Panlilio said the group could slowly go back to normal capacity if there is no second wave of infections.

The government has eased lockdown restrictions for the first time in two months last May 16, placing Metro Manila under modified enhanced community quarantine until May 31.

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