Globe launches broadband service

Mobile telephony leader Globe Telecom has launched one of the country’s first wireless broadband services, allowing fast and instant Internet connection without the complications posed by cables, sockets, jacks, and ports.

The relatively new technology was deployed by the Ayala-owned telecom firm at Oakwood Premier Ayala Center, making the latter among the first serviced apartments/hotels in the country to offer broadband Internet access in all of its rooms. Internet access is also extended to Oakwood’s common areas such as the lobby, restaurant, pool areas, and function rooms.

"With this service, we have now put the foundation for what will be a new generation of value-added services offerings for Oakwood’s guest such as wireless internet and mobile office applications, video conferencing, video and audio streaming, gaming and virtual local area network applications," Globe assistant vice president for wireline data Jesus Romero said.

Romero explained that Globe’s broadband Internet access service employs digital subscriber line (DSL) technology over existing copper infrastructure to deliver data, voice, and video simultaneously for a faster, more dynamic online experience.

Using existing telephone lines, it delivers download speeds of up to 70 times faster than the standard 28.8 modems, enabling the user to download web pages in an instant and watch streaming videos, among others.

A DSL modem on the phone line splits a single line into two frequencies – one for data and another for voice. This allows users to make and receive phone calls without interrupting Internet connection.

Aside from increasing the speed broadband offers the flexibility and reach required to maximize all that the Web can offer – live multimedia viewing, crisp real-time videoconferencing and speedy data transfers with broadband access.

Romero said that with Globe’s wireless broadband service, Oakwood customers will have an ‘always on’ Internet access, thereby, eliminating the long lead times and costly telecommunications surcharges for leading T-1 circuits.

Through Globe, Oakwood can finally offer high-speed wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) 802.11b wireless Internet access to business travelers which permits wireless transmission of approximately 11 megabits per second of raw data at distances from several dozen to several hundred feet. 802.11b, a specification developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), has become the only standard deployed for public short-range networks such as those found at airports, hotels, conference centers, coffee shops, and restaurants.

It is also an extension of Ethernet to wireless communication, and as such is ecumenical about the kind of data that pass through it. It is primarily used for TCP/IP, but can also handle other forms of networking traffic. PCs and Macs may, likewise, communicate interoperably over 802.11b, using equipment from a variety of vendors.