PLDT products post 126% sales growth in 2002

Telecommunications industry leader Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co.’s (PLDT) domestic data, broadband and Internet products posted an average growth of 126 percent at the end of 2002, a strong indication of the telecom giant’s continued dominance of the Philippine data market.

In a press briefing, PLDT vice president for business solutions products center Nerisse Ramos said the exponential growth was driven by the IP (Internet Protocol)- based services such as DSL (digital subscriber line), 180 percent; domestic frame relay, 175 percent; IP VPN 2,294 percent growth, remote access service, 109 percent and I-Gate, 34 percent.

PLDT’s DSL aggressively expanded its network and now covers 74 exchanges and 48 buildings. This network expansion program further increases the total number of clients who may enjoy the benefits of having fast, reliable and unlimited access to the World Wide Web.

Further expansion of I-Gate, the country’s premier Internet gateway connection, also augmented the demand for high-speed Internet access of its retail and corporate customers. From a 155 Mbps gateway connection to the US and 14 Mbps links to other Asia Pacific countries, the I-gate bandwidth grew to 304 Mbps, making it the country’s largest Internet gateway connection. Moreover, another upgrade of 155 Mbps to the US is expected to be completed during the first half of 2003.

Ramos said the year 2002 also saw PLDT improving its global networking data capabilities by adding to its already very strong pool of partners regional telecommunication providers such as Reach, PCCW, Cable and Wireless and Starhub. Network capacities were also reinforced with the upgrade of bandwidth between PLDT and other regional players such as NTT, Acasia and Infonet.

For this year, Ramos said PLDT will continue to develop industry specific needs, support the growth of the small and medium enterprise market and contribute to the Philippine’s IT outsource market.

According to independent research firm, Ovum, the Philippine data market will continue to grow in the 20 percent range for the next few years. This figure is lower than the 2001 growth of 31 percent due to local and global conditions which will affect customer buying behavior. Growth drivers in the market will still be IP-based and broadband services such as domestic frame relay, IP-VPN, and DSL.

"We expect continued growth in 2003 to be driven by the same services that we launched this year. PLDT will continue to develop industry specific needs, support the growth of the SME market and contribute to the Philippineís IT outsource market," Ramos said. – Mary Ann Reyes