SubicTel sets up wireless broadband Internet at Subic

Subic Telecommunications Co. (SubicTel) has set up wireless broadband at the Subic Bay Freeport Zone to allow more clients to enjoy the benefits of high-speed Internet access.

SubicTel, a subsidiary of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), is now reselling the Smart Bro wireless DSL (digital subscriber line) service of sister company Smart Communications Inc. in order to speed up provisioning for those who need broadband access.

"Smart Bro, since it uses WiFi, or wireless fidelity technology, doesn’t require phone lines. It’s all wireless," according to SubicTel general manager Henry Abes. "Even those without landline phones can have broadband Internet access similar in performance to wired DSL."

DSL is a technology that uses traditional copper lines used in landline phones. SubicTel also offers DSL to a growing number of clients in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone.

"Through this partnership with Smart, we offer our clients more choices and flexibility in choosing the right services they need. Our expanded portfolio of services ensures that we offer only the best services to our clients," Abes said.

At present, SubicTel already has 850 DSL subscribers. By reselling Smart Bro, the company expects to expand its reach and spur development in the area through innovative services and business partnerships.

SubicTel has already invested almost P1 billion since 1994 to develop the telecommunications infrastructure in the Subic Bay Freeport Zone. It was created in 1994 after PLDT, SBMA and US-based AT&T decided to form a joint venture to provide state-of-the-art telecommunications facilities for the freeport.

At that time, PLDT was the only telecommunications company that accepted former SBMA chairman Richard Gordon’s call for help in rebuilding Subic. Because of this missionary role of SubicTel, locators soon came in and contributed to the development of Subic.

SubicTel officials said the company continues to invest in the development of the telecommunications infrastructure in the zone to meet the needs of locators and potential investors.

The other services that SubicTel offers to locators in the freeport and retail clients include residential lines, private leased lines, virtual private network (VPN), voice over VPN, and Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).