The franchise set to be granted by Congress to Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) dooms its future competitors since such franchise guarantees that incentives granted to future telecommunications firms will also be enjoyed by Smart, a lawmaker warned this week.

Rep. Antonio Tinio of Alliance of Concerned Teachers party-list, chairman of the House Committee on Public Information, was referring to House Bill 4637, which amends the Act Granting Smart a Franchise by allowing the company to operate and maintain telecommunications services in the country, including electronic communications, for another 25 years.

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