PLDT broadband service takes lead in Internet industry usage

Telecommunications giant Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) is stepping up efforts to increase its broadband subscriber base as its digital subscriber line (DSL service has taken the lead over other broadband providers with over 30,000 subscribers. This was attributed to the existing nationwide infrastructure that the company leveraged and maximized to roll out its broadband service at least cost, a ranking company official said.

Butch Jimenez, head of PLDT’s Retail Business Group, said while other telcos are still thinking of spending billions of pesos to roll out a broadband infrastructure, PLDT’s was already in place. "It is now our intention to further enhance our network and generate various applications to heighten the broadband experience of our subscribers," he said.

PLDT recently doubled the speed of its DSL broadband service, giving subscribers an average bandwidth of up to 512 to 768 kilobits per second using standard copper telephone wiring.

PLDT has also developed its own gaming website, PLDT PLAY, which will allow its subscribers to play network-based games without having to go to an Internet café.

PLDT has forged a partnership with Level-Up, the holders of the Philippine rights to the leading online role-playing game (RPG) in the world, Ragnarok. With the tie-up, PLDT myDSL subscribers can log on to www.pldtplay.com and play or purchase Ragnarok load through the website. Fees will be conveniently charged to the subscribers’ phone bill.

"The challenge for PLDT is to combine its broadband infrastructure with relevant content, therefore creating an enriching experience for the subscriber," Jimenez said.

He added that the company intends to build on its partnership with msn.com, one of the most popular sites in the Philippines with over 50,000 unique Filipino subscribers through its Hotmail e-mail service.