PLDT says hacked Twitter account 'recovered, ready to serve'

MANILA -- PLDT Inc said Thursday it recovered its verified customer service account on Twitter shortly after it was hacked with a post from a group that identified itself as Anonymous.

"Our @PLDT_Cares Twitter account has been recovered and is now ready to serve," PLDT Inc said in a statement.

PLDT assured the public that the "security issue" was limited to the said Twitter account and that its network and services were unaffected.

Despite restrictions imposed to contain the spread of COVID-19, PLDT continuously invested in its fiber and LTE network rollout to meet demand, it said. 

The unauthorized post, which was removed, read: "As the pandemic arises, Filipinos need fast internet to communicate with their loved ones. Do your job."

"The corrupt fear us, the honest support us, the heroic join us. We are Anonymous. We are Legion. We do not forgive. We do not forget . Expect us," it said.

news.abs-cbn.com

Switzerland's Partners Group to acquire SPi Global

MANILA – Partners Group, a global investment management firm, will acquire SPi Global in a transaction that values the Philippines-based outsourcing company at $330 million, PLDT Inc. said Monday.

PLDT Inc has an 18.32-percent economic interest in SPi Global through its indirect subsidiary, PLDT Global Investments Corp.

Aside from PLDT Global Investments Corp, SPi Global is also controlled by CVC Capital Partners Asia III.

SPi Global provides outsourced services to education, science, technical and medical research publishers.

“As the publishing world transforms and expands at a rapid pace, SPi has a very exciting opportunity to support its customers,” said Cyrus Driver, managing director of Partners Group, which has headquarters in Switzerland.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

Shares up on telco gains, buck regional downtrend

MANILA - Share prices traded higher on Wednesday, boosted by gains in Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. and Globe Telecom, after the two companies purchased San Miguel Corp.'s telecommunications business.


The Philippine Stock Exchange index was up 1.26 percent at P7,495.09 in late trading. Tokyo and Hong Kong stocks fell.

PLDT was up 2 percent to P1,938 while Globe was 1.66 percent higher to P2,450. San Miguel was down 2.44 percent to P80.

The P70-billion deal, wherein rivals PLDT and Globe each bought a 50-percent stake in San Miguel's telecommunications assets, effectively ended the conglomerate's bid to crack the market duopoly.

"At the end of the day, the third player didn't really materialize. What you have is still PLDT and Globe and they still have to fight for market share, and the expectation there is still on and that has an impact on their margins," BPI Securities analyst Jomar Lacson said.

San Miguel "can now redeploy capital towards more profitable investments," he said.

Lacson said he saw two to three more weeks of volatility, in the run-up to the Federal Reserve meeting by end-June, where it may, or may not raise interest rates.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

PLDT joins consortium of global tech giants

MANILA, Philippines - Dominant carrier Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) has joined a consortium of global technology giants aiming to standardize the core platform and accelerate big data delivery worldwide.

PLDT is now part of the Open Data Platform (ODP) together with GE, Hortonworks, IBM, Infosys, Pivotal, SAS, Altiscale, Capgemini, CenturyLink, EMC, Teradata, Splunk, Verizon Enterprise Solutions, and VMware.

Eric Alberto, executive vice president for Enterprise & International and Carrier Business Group of PLDT, said the company envisions a Center of Excellence for Big Data in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (Asean) region that would pioneer world-class data science expertise, carrier-grade analytics infrastructure, and market-attuned Big Data services to include platforms, real time analytics, and insights.

“As the PLDT Group sustains its Digital transformation, our Group-wide Big Data initiative will enable game-changing capabilities and insights for our clients, most especially in the Enterprise space,” Alberto said

Alberto, who is also president and chief executive officer of ePLDT, pointed out that PLDT is “very enthusiastic about the transformative power of this technology in enabling our Corporate customers to optimize operations and more importantly, to engage with their consumers in ways previously not thought possible.”

The PLDT Group’s Big Data service lines include Platforms-as-a-Service, Data Warehousing-as-a-Service, and Insights-as-a-Service among others. These services provide the analytics infrastructure as well as the data science expertise to unlock actionable insights from data sources and to process data feeds in real time.

Use cases for public sector, meanwhile, include transport planning, route optimization, and traffic monitoring. By employing sophisticated algorithms to analyze anonymous cell phone signals on the move, cities and roadway authorities can get a view of the traffic situation without deploying costly road sensors.

In retail, Big Data is used to measure foot traffic, analyze transactions, and mine loyalty card activity to better understand customers. Through this enhanced understanding, retailers are able to personalize offers, design campaigns, plan staffing-levels, manage inventory, and get the right products on shelves.

PLDT is among the largest implementers of Big Data and Real-time Analytics in Asean as it processes over 30 Terabytes of data on a daily basis, leveraging its own in-house talent of Data Processing Engineers, Data Scientists and Analytics experts.

For the Philippine market, PLDT is currently working with a select number of enterprise clients from a wide spectrum of industries for collaborative enterprise implementations.

PLDT president and chief executive officer Napoleon Nazareno said the company aims to ensure the competitiveness of the Philippines in this Digital Age.

“Our foray into the Big Data Analytics space further leverages on our investments in network infrastructure and other strategic digital initiatives. We will sustain our commitment to transforming the PLDT Group to benefit all our stakeholders, and most especially, to providing leading-edge ICT solutions that contribute to the progress and development of the Philippine economy.” Nazareno said.

Read more on The Philippine Star.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

PH stocks rise to 2-month high

Philippine stocks rose to two-month high on Wednesday, outperforming other markets in the region as investors waited for a raft of U.S. data and ahead of a crucial OPEC meeting.

The Philippine Stock Exchange index (PSEi) closed at 7,356.59 on Wednesday, advancing 1 percent to its highest since September 25.

SM Investments and Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co gained 2.4 percent and 1 percent, respectively.

Analysts said investors waited for clues on the global economy from U.S. data, including personal income and spending, durable goods orders, and weekly jobless claims, due later in the day.

Investors were also keeping a close watch on crude oil prices after some major oil producers, including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Mexico, and Venezuela, could not agree on a production cut ahead of a meeting of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) on Thursday. Crude futures hit a four-year low.

The U.S. government upgraded its reading on third-quarter gross domestic product to 3.9 percent on Tuesday from 3.5 percent reported last month. Economists polled by Reuters had expected growth would be cut to 3.3 percent.

The Jakarta Composite Index was up 0.15 percent, while the Singapore index was steady. The Malaysian stock index .KLSE traded 0.2 percent firmer, heading for a third straight session of gains.

Bucking the trend, the Thai index was down 0.13 percent and Vietnam was lower 1.7 percent.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Lawmakers seek probe of 'Last Home Stand'

MANILA – Rep. Winston "Winnie" Castelo on Wednesday expressed his disgust over the cancellation of the exhibition game between Gilas Pilipinas and a group of NBA stars, and sought an immediate congressional probe "in aid of legislation" on the circumstances surrounding the fiasco.

Castelo on Wednesday filed House Resolution 1293, which seeks to come out with a remedial legislation that could prevent the recurrence of the incident.

Filipino basketball fans had paid as much as P23,000 a ticket to see a basketball game between the national team players and the NBA stars. The cancelled game was supposed to be part of a series of exhibition games before Gilas flies to Spain to play in the FIBA World Cup.

Reports suggested that the PLDT Group of Companies, which sponsored the cancelled game, appeared to have been duped by a US-based event organizing group, which promised the conglomerate to bring in the NBA players.

Citing press reports, PLDT was informed by the other party to the agreement just hours before the event that the NBA players were barred from playing, citing the existing NBA players' memo which informed the player agents and the players themselves that the NBA does not allow unsanctioned exhibition games, Castelo said.

Castelo said Congress has to initiate an inquiry to prevent a repetition even as PLDT chairman Manny Pangilinan said "a refund scheme was being put in motion" because he did not want the public to feel shortchanged.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

'Glenda' disrupts PLDT, Globe, Smart services

MANILA – Massive power outages caused by typhoon "Glenda" have also disrupted services of the country's major telecommunication firms.

Services of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT), Smart Communications, and Sun Cellular were disrupted in parts of Metro Manila as well as in Regions 3 (Central Luzon), 4 (CALABARZON), and 5 (Bicol).

“Our estimate is that 15 percent and 20 percent of our facilities in Metro Manila and in South Luzon respectively, were affected by the storm. Hardest hit areas were the provinces of Masbate, Sorsogon and Albay,” said PLDT, Smart, and Sun in a joint statement.

The Pangilinan-led firms said that most of its fixed line and mobile network facilities are only running on standby power due to the power outages.

If power is not restored soon, normal services of PLDT, Smart and Sun will be disrupted once internal batteries in its equipment run out.

“We wish to assure the public that we are exerting every effort to restore normal operations as soon as possible. We thank you for your patience and understanding,” the companies said.

Free calls or “libreng tawag” stations are set up in Baytown Market, Brgy. San Isidro, Angono, Rizal, Tonsuya Elementary School, Malabon City, Baseco Evacuation Center Manila, Navotas City Hall, and in Legazpi City in cooperation with the Alagang Kapatid Foundation.

Globe Telecom, meanwhile, said its mobile services were affected in Albay, Camarines Norte, Camarines Sur, Catanduanes, Marinduque, Masbate, Quezon and Sorsogon.

Several cell site antennas of Globe were also damaged by strong winds, but no major infrastructure damage was reported.

Globe said its facilities are also running on generators and reserve power.

"Our on-ground technical team are continuously providing reports and doing site assessments for immediate service recovery," said Globe corporate communications head Yoly Crisanto.

The Ayala-led firm also said it is preparing to mobilize “libreng tawag” facilities and relief operations in the areas hit by the typhoon.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

PLDT likely to pursue multimedia investments, says Moody's

MANILA – Moody’s Investors Service believes that Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) will continue to pursue investments in multimedia, but warned that the dominant carrier should only go after large investments.

“PLDT is likely to continue to seek investment opportunities in the multimedia sector to strengthen its ability to deliver multimedia content through its broadband and mobile networks,” Moody’s said.

“Moody's views that unless PLDT moves towards large debt-funded acquisitions of major companies, the near-term credit impact of its investments in the multimedia sector will be immaterial,” the ratings agency added.

PLDT President Napoleon Nazareno earlier said the PLDT Group is pursuing multimedia initiatives through PLDT, Smart Communications, Sun Cellular, and Cignal TV.

On Tuesday, PLDT chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said acquisition talks with GMA Network Inc. collapsed anew after its offer to buy a minority stake in the company expired in February.

“Our offer expired already. It expired in the first week of February,” Pangilinan said.

He added that the PLDT Group has yet to decide if it will revive talks to acquire the broadcasting company, which it had tried to acquire several times before.

“Well, we don’t know. I am getting tired,” Pangilinan said.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

PLDT to sell BPO unit to private equity firm

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co said it will sell a majority stake in its business process outsourcing unit to private equity firm CVC Capital Partners Ltd - a deal that underlines rising interest in the Philippines as an investment destination.

Terms of the PLDT deal were not disclosed, but a source familiar with the matter said last month that PLDT was in exclusive talks with CVC  for a deal valued at about $320 million including debt.

The deal is also the second that CVC has closed in Southeast Asia in less than a month, after leading a consortium to acquire Malaysia's two main KFC fast food franchises for $1.7 billion.

Private equity firms have been beefing up their capabilities in Southeast Asia's rapidly growing economies and the unit had also attracted interest from other buyout firms including Bain Capital and Carlyle Group.

London-based CVC has a strong track record of landing deals in Southeast Asia. In 2011, it bought 15 percent of the Philippines' Rizal Commercial Banking Corp  for $115 million and in 2000, it acquired industrial packaging maker Steniel Manufacturing Corp.

CVC is also looking to exit its PT Matahari Department Store asset in Indonesia, one of the most widely anticipated deals in that country this year, which could fetch as much as $3.5 billion through an M&A sale. 

STRONG PHILIPPINES GROWTH

PLDT, the Philippines' second-most valuable listed firm, said it would sell an 80 stake in SPi Global Holdings, a diversified business process outsourcing firm with global operations, and keep the remaining holding.

The deal is expected to be completed next month. PLDT said it continually reviews its strategy and portfolio and the sale represented an opportunity to realise attractive returns for shareholders.

The Philippines' economy grew 6.6 percent in 2012, the second-fastest pace so far in Asia after China, outpacing government and market estimates. The benchmark Philippine stock index is up nearly 11 percent this year after surging by a third to become one of Asia's best performing markets last year.

UBS was PLDT's exclusive financial adviser for the sale of SPi Global. SPi has more than 18,000 employees and operations in the United States, Europe, the Philippines, India, Vietnam and Australia.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

PLDT to set up Wi-Fi in Belo clinics

MANILA, Philippines -- Dominant carrier Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) is beefing the contact center operations of the Belo Medical Group and is set to provide wi-fi access inside the beauty company’s clinics.

PLDT ALPHA Enterprise vice president and corporate relationship management head Mitch Locsin said in a statement that the company is set to enhance the Belo Medical Group’s customer service experience through improved communication systems and wifi access inside its clinics.

Locsin said the company would beef up the Belo Medical Group contact center with the hotline 819-BELO (819-2356) to assist customers on questions and information on clinic schedules and appointments.

“We are happy that the Belo Medical Group have entrusted us their communication system,” Locsin said.

PLDT has also provided the Belo group with a unified internal communication service for all their employees after switching all their employees to Smart Communications Inc.

Through Smart Netcast, the Belo Medical Group could immediately send important advisories and promos to its employees’ using their Smart mobile lines.

PLDT’s DSL service would also be deployed in these branches to give their clients high -speed wifi connections while waiting for their consultations.

“With PLDT’s superior network infrastructure, the Belo Medical Group will surely enjoy our extensive and resilient network as well as our impressive after-sales support,” Locsin added.

More than 70 Belo Medical Group employees have been migrated to Smart’s network to benefit from the Netcast service.

A PLDT IPVPN (Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network) has also been set up to connect the company’s main offices to its clinics in Metro Manila and Cebu for real-time sales monitoring.

The Belo Medical Group has nine clinics in Metro Manila including Tomas Morato and Trinoma in Quezon City; Greenhills in San Juan; Medical Plaza Rustans and Greenbelt Residences in Makati City; Mega Atrium in Mandaluyong; Alabang Westgate and Podium in Ortigas.

It also operates a clinic at the Ayala Center in Cebu.

source: abs-cbnnews.com

Check for DNSChanger malware or lose Internet access by July 9, telco says

MANILA, Philippines — Leading telecommunications firm Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) and its wireless arm Smart Communications urged Pinoy Internet users to check if they have been infected with a malware which will restrict their Internet access if not removed by July 9.

The malware, called DNSChanger, was discovered to be re-routing Internet traffic of infected PCs to servers of a group of Internet hackers, which allows them to display advertisements or spread malware to more users.

Once infected, the Domain Name Settings (DNS) of an infested computer will be changed to that of the hackers’ servers. Reports said systems have started to become infected when they visited similarly infected websites, “or downloaded particular software to view videos online,” according to technology news site CNet.

In addition to changing the DNS servers of the computer, the malware has also been known to prevent antivirus updates from occurring, which means traditional security software couldn’t possibly detect the infection.

The group behind the malware has since been arrested by authorities in 2011, but the temporary redirection servers set up by law enforcement bodies to give users the time to clean up their systems will soon be shut down.

“If you fail to take action, you may not be able to access Internet websites and use web services like email and search,” said PLDT and Smart Spokesperson Ramon Isberto in a statement.

To check if your system is infected, PLDT and Smart urged to go through your computer’s settings:

Windows
1. Click Start
2. Open the Command Window
3. (For Windows 7) Type cmd at the search bar
4. (For Windows XP) Click Run, then type cmd at the bar
5. Type ipconfig /all
6. Search for the DNS Servers section

Mac OS X
1. Click the Apple icon an the top left of the screen
2. Select System Preferences
3. Locate the “Network” icon
4. Read the “DNS Server” line

If the DNS servers are pointed at any of the following addresses, then it means the system is infected:

• 85.255.112.0 through 85.255.127.255
• 67.210.0.0 through 67.210.15.255
• 93.188.160.0 through 93.188.167.255
• 77.67.83.0 through 77.67.83.255
• 213.109.64.0 through 213.109.79.255
• 64.28.176.0 through 64.28.191.255

Alternatively, users can visit the following websites to automatically check if their units have the DNSChanger malware: http://www.dns-ok.us/ and http://dnschanger.detect.my.

To permanently rid your system of the malware, you can use various services put up by security software firms such as Kaspersky , ESET, McAfee , Microsoft , Norton, and Trend Micro.

source: interaksyon.com

PLDT Telpad app gives patients, doctors direct link to Asian Hospital

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) has created applications that would allow patients, doctors and medical staff of Asian Hospital and Medical Center to easily access useful information through Telpad.

“Telpad will make it easier and more convenient for a patient to access information about doctors, their HMO accreditation, specialization, and schedule. The patient will just have to tap the Telpad Asian Hospital App, and choose from the search options for the relevant information to appear,” Patrick S. Tang, PLDT's vice president and head of Home Marketing for Voice and Microbusiness, said in a statement.

Telpad is the world’s first landline and fully interactive tablet, allowing users to make and receive unlimited local calls, and access unlimited internet and exclusive PLDT services.

According to Tang, one of Telpad's features is web browsing, which enables users to access their favorite websites, play streaming videos, update their social network status, and compose and check for messages in their email accounts.

He added that new applications are being developed by PLDT for Asian Hospital. These include the Doctor’s Portal, which will provide immediate access to a doctor’s schedule, his patients’ profiles, details of medical records, historical laboratory results, collaboration with other doctors, and bills.

These applications will allow doctors and patients to track and monitor medical records in digital format which they can access anytime.

Other apps that PLDT is currently developing for Asian Hospital are the Patient’s Portal, Enhanced Schedule of Doctors, and On-line Nursery.

Telpad plans start at P1,849 at 1.5 mbps Internet speed, supported by PLDT myDSL. Each plan is bundled with unlimited local calls and unlimited online access. Android-powered Telpad offers subscribers more than 450,000 applications that are available for download on Google Play (formerly known as Android Market).

source: interaksyon.com

PLDT, SM Sign Branding Alliance

MANILA, Philippines --- The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) has strengthened its ties with the country's biggest mall developer and operator, SM via a three-year branding alliance with SM's P3.6-billion Mall of Asia Arena, the latest events venue to open in Metro Manila.

The 16,000-seater complex located at SM's Mall of Asia in Pasay City is a six-level, world-class sports and multi-event complex with a gross floor area of 64,085 square meters. It serves as a venue for concerts, sports matches, musical and theater productions, fashion shows, circuses and corporate events.

The MOA Arena, launched last Saturday, will grant branding rights and license to have the phrase "powered by PLDT" displayed with the Mall of Asia Arena name.

The partnership will also carry multiple branding agreements with SM and PLDT including the MOA Arena state-of-the-art Daktronics scoreboard, rotational ribbon a first in such a venue in the Philippines,

digital spots, PLDT murals and exclusive PLDT show rooms located at the MOA Arena complex.

The MOA Arena will also carry two PLDT corporate suites as part of the 3-year partnership. Various businesses of PLDT, such as ALPHA Enterprise, SME Nation and HOME, will be featured in these spaces.

"We are excited to partner with SM in bringing world-class entertainment, sporting events, and other quality activities to the Filipinos through the Mall of Asia Arena," PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan said.

source: mb.com.ph

Vodafone, Smart partner for $10 data-roaming offer, best practices

MANILA, Philippines — Unlike what has been wildly speculated upon online, UK-based telecommunications firm Vodafone is not setting up operations in the Philippines.

Instead, the global telco brand is linking up with dominant carrier Smart Communications Inc. to offer a low-cost data roaming rate to the latter’s globetrotting mobile subscribers.

Aside from the roaming agreement, the two telecom giants will harness the partnership to forge collaborations in the areas of social media, customer care and rollout strategies for LTE, the next-generation mobile network technology.

The partnership was hatched through Smart’s participation in the Conexus Mobile Alliance, an Asia Pacific telecom group with a combined customer base of over 320 million customers.

Vodafone in September last year signed an agreement with the alliance to expand its roaming capabilities in the region. It has been reported that the company is setting its sights toward further international expansion in 2012.

“Through our participation in the Conexus alliance, Smart customers have been first in the region to enjoy a daily data rate of only US$10 when roaming on Conexus member networks,” said Mary Alice Ramos, Smart’s international roaming business and alliances head.

According to Ramos, the Vodafone partnership will bring the same low-cost data offering to more than 30 markets in Europe, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, where the latter currently operates.

To kick off the partnership, Vodafone executives reportedly flew in on February 14 to 16 to conduct training sessions with Smart’s senior management and online customer management teams, among others.

This was also the same time when rumors that Vodafone would be setting up shop in the Philippines, sparked by the opening of various social media accounts in Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT)-owned telco said more workshops and technical trainings with executives are slated in the coming months.

“We are proud to be the preferred partner of Vodafone in the Philippines, as we work together to meet the growing demand among multinational businesses for sophisticated voice, data and roaming solutions within and beyond the Asia Pacific region,” said Smart International and Carrier Business Division Head Alex Caeg.

source: interaksyon.com

PLDT expands control of Digitel to 98%

Minority shareholders of Digital Telecommunications Phils Inc. (Digitel) have accepted the tender offer of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company and paved the way for PLDT to “own 10,165 million common shares or 98 percent of the enlarged capital base of Digitel."

PLDT revealed the results of its tender offer in a news release Thursday. The telecom giant said it will spend P600 million in cash to buy 13 percent of the minority Digitel shares.

It will also exchange 1.6 million PLDT common shares—valued at P2,500 per share—for 2.5 billion Digitel shares.

Digitel shareholders residing outside the country will be paid only in cash.

“The tendered shares are to be crossed in the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) on 24 January 2012 and settlement of both cash and share transactions will be on 27 January 2012,” PLDT said.

Delisting of Digitel from the PSE would soon follow now that Digitel public ownership will fall below the 10 percent minimum. — ELR, GMA News

source:gmanetwork.com

PLDT extends free Cebu WiFi

MANILA, Philippines — The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) has extended its free wifi access to Cebu-based landline and Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) subscribers after successfully implementing the service during the Sinulog Festival.

The PLDT WiFi Zones roll out in Cebu was the first outdoor wifi service implemented in the country, with each access point allowing Internet users connection speeds of up to 1mbps.

PLDT WiFi Zones were initially set up to allow users free online access in several key areas during the Sinulog festival but this free service will be extended until the end of the month.

The PLDT WiFi Zones were made accessible on Gen. Maxilom Avenue, Gorordo to Fuente Osmeña Circle, Osmeña Boulevard, Portions of N. Bacalso Avenue and P. del Rosario, the Cebu City Sports Center, Cebu City Hall, Provincial Capitol, Magellan's Cross and Plaza Independencia.

"With the unveiling of the PLDT WiFi Zones during Sinulog, locals and guests alike were able to connect online and share their experiences on the streets as they happen,” says PLDT Head of Cebu Operations Bong Lintag.

“The access points for the wifi service were right where the festivities are centered," he explained. But now, "We've decided to extend the free period to allow people who were not able to experience the free wifi access during the Sinulog a chance to have a feel of the connection speeds in the covered areas."

Attendees of the festival were able to post photos and videos of the festivities as these were happening on the streets.

Located in Cebu's leading commercial districts and tourist sites, access points set up can accommodate more unique users at a time as more access points are deployed in other areas.

“This value-added service is an extension of our customers’ broadband service at home carrying with it the same strong connections that they experience with Mydsl and Fibr. Wherever it is available, users will get to enjoy fast, reliable wifi service in popular locations throughout the city,” noted PLDT Retail Business Group Head Dan Ibarra.

source: mb.com.ph

PLDT says Globe using Altimax frequencies 'illegally'

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) said Wednesday competitor Globe Telecom Inc. (Globe) is illegally using the frequency of a company it acquired in 2009 for its WiMax broadband Internet service.

In a statement, PLDT head for regulatory and policy affairs lawyer Ray Espinosa called on the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to recall the frequencies of Altimax Broadcasting leased to Globe.

Under a 2000 provisional authority, Altimax was authorized to offer wireless broadcasting services similar to what wireless cable TV providers are offering the local market, PLDT pointed out.

"These frequencies of Altimax Broadcasting should be returned and be made available to interested parties," Espinosa said.

The revelation came during the NTC hearing on the PLDT-Digitel share-swap deal, where Engr. Emmanuel Estrada, Globe's head of network technologies strategy division, said that the company was using the frequencies for the deployment of its WiMax services in Luzon.

Espinosa cited the 2010 financial statement of Altimax, which said that it was leasing its frequencies to Globe subsidiary Innove for P70 million in 2009 and P90 million in 2010.

The PLDT official claimed that the provisional authority granted by the NTC to Altimax "does not allow the company to lease its frequencies without the approval of the Commission."

PLDT's statement come on the heels of allegations by Globe that Smart Telecommunications Inc. — PLDT’s mobile telecommunications arm — is hoarding frequencies with its strategic acquisition of telcos with assigned frequencies, the latest of which is its bid to buy Sun Cellular operator Digitel.

Globe, however, aside brushed the issue, saying PLDT is misleading the public and muddling the issues related to its Digital deal.

In a statement, Globe pointed out that the Altimax deal is "clearly above board" with the NTC aware of it.

Focus on legal issues

"This is old news that PLDT simply wants to resurrect in view of their existing issues with their merger with Digitel," said Atty. Froilan M. Castelo, head of Globe corporate and legal services group.

Castelo said PLDT should focus on the regulatory and legal upheavals before the authorities.

"Foremost of [such issues] is that they are a non-Filipino corporation operating as a public utility and entering into a multi-billion transaction vested with public interest," Castelo stressed.

The Supreme Court in June ruled that foreigners "unmistakably" control more than 64 percent of PLDT's common shares, after it defined the term "capital" found in the Constitution as referring only to common voting shares and not the total number of stocks issued by a company.

Thus, foreign investors accounted for 64.27 percent of PLDT’s common shares, well above the 40 percent constitutional limit.

While not yet final and executory, the SC decision was used by Globe in asking the NTC to stop the hearings on the PLDT-Digitel deal, which the industry regulator denied.

The high court has decided to set oral arguments on PLDT's ownership case before it issues a final ruling. — VS, GMA News


Source:gmanews.tv