The group was designed for triple play, wittingly or unwittingly. It has ABS-CBN that provides the content and BayanTel and SkyCable that provide the transport mechanism. It was a matter of leveraging on the synergies among the Lopez subsidiaries. The three companies are in the midst of converging technologies, which according to BayanTel chief executive consultant Tunde Fafunwa would change the way information and entertainment is delivered to households.
The possibilities are limitless so to speak. Dumaguete customers will soon be able to enjoy VoIP, broadband Internet, and SkyCable TV channels from a single line. Tantra, a MMORPG game distributed by ABS-CBN Interactive, is hosted in the BayanTel network peering exchange that allows other players using Internet connection from other providers and is best played in DSL and Internet platforms of BayanTel. The Pinoy Big Brother reality show in ABS-CBN can be accessed through multiple platforms such as Sky Cable and its broadband service Zeepeedee as well as BayanTel’s Sky DSL where users can access and get exclusive footages not shown on free TV.
So is leading telco PLDT not far behind?
According to PLDT chairman Manny Pangilinan, triple play is definitely something which the group has to look into. He was in the United States recently where video on mobile is gaining ground.
Right now, PLDT he says is in the transport business (delivering voice and data via its network) at present and the company is in the process of determining to what extent it will move up.
The absence of a content provider-subsidiary (remember the botched acquisition of GMA 7?) is not really a problem as far as going into triple play is concerned. He emphasizes that nobody has a monopoly on content, which basically means that he can ask anybody to develop it for him. I learned from the grapevine that ABS-CBN has no problems providing the content which PLDT needs, of course at the right price.
Mobile wireless and 3G or the third generation of mobile communications technology, he says, is essential for a successful execution of the triple play strategy, which is basically the reason why PLDT and wireless subsidiary Smart have acquired Meridian Telekom, have launched several innovations in the wireless space, and are looking at 3G. With PLDT now into delivering of voice and data, video may be just around the corner.
A brainchild of Presidential Consultant for Entrepreneurship Joey Concepcion, the forum showcased some of the current thinking and relevant learning models that will help children learn the basics and be exposed to a real enterprise. Joey believes that in order to develop a culture of enterprise and cultivate tomorrow’s competitive entrepreneurs, we must start them young. Our primary and secondary schools, he says, can be the seedbed for teaching values, attitudes and mindsets on an entrepreneur.
Among those who shared their experiences were successful entrepreneurs Dr. Rolando Hortaleza of Spash Corp., Socorro Ramos of National Bookstore, Chit Juan of Figaro Coffee Co. and Henry Lim Bon Liong of Sterling Group of Companies. Sharing their insights on entrepreneurship education were Fe Hidalgo, acting DepEd secretary; Angelita Resurreccion, president of the Competency Based Economies Through Formation of Entrepreneurs (CEFE-Philippines) and Genevieve Ledesma-Tan, president of Southville International School & Colleges. President Arroyo also spoke on entrepreneurship and education.
Joey, himself an entrepreneur starting when he was in his teens, said: "As an advocate, I often persuade students to put their own small ventures as early as possible. I believe that getting our young exposed early to entrepreneurship will unlock their creativity, enhance their life skills, and help them build a better vision for the future."
National Bookstore’s Ramos added that young would-be entrepreneurs are those "ever aware of opportunities and always first to grab them – unmindful of putting in long hours and always thinking ahead."
Joey recently established the non-profit PCE together with renowned entrepreneurs Soccoro Ramos, Tony Tan Caktiong, Dr. Rolando Hortaleza, Joselito Campos, Atty. Felipe Gozon, Harley Sy and Vivienne Tan. Part of the center’s mission is to enhance formal and non-formal entrepreneurship education through curriculum and materials development, teacher training, and thought leadership. Last August, PCE and the Commission on Higher Education co-sponsored an education forum for the tertiary level, tackling the proposed curriculum for a BS Entrepreneurship degree program that was crafted by both educators and the business sector.
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