PLDT completes 6th innovation lab

MANILA, Philippines - Dominant carrier Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) has completed the construction of its sixth innovation laboratory (Innolab) in the country to cater to customers in Baguio City and the rest of the Ilocos Region.

PLDT vice president for information and communication technology (ICT) research & development Joey Limjap said the newest Innolab in Baguio City is now on dry-run and is providing customers with a showcase of the latest ICT-based business solutions including multimedia products and services.

“This is PLDT’s sixth Innolab in the country. Like the five others, this one in Baguio is a venue for developing and testing revolutionary ICT products and business solutions,” Limjap said.

The five other Innolabs of PLDT are strategically located in Manila, Subic, Clark, Davao , and Cebu and have accommodated around 8,000 visitors since 2003.

“PLDT Innolabs provide the perfect setting for the development of innovative products and future business solutions through open partnerships with the telecommunications industry, the academe, government institutions, and end-users,” he added.

The Innolab contains a showroom that’s divided into different industries to serve the unique requirements of various businesses. It is the site for live demonstrations of PLDT enterprise products, such as the state-of-art PLDT Cloud offering, enabling clients to experience the services and test their compatibility with that of their respective company’s systems and network. PLDT also conducts technology-related events, trainings, seminars, and student tours in this facility.

Dyna Claire Dizon, owner of CAMG Fashion Emporium, said she order three units for her stores after PLDT Innolab showed how the video monitoring works.

 â€œI usually travel a lot, so I have to leave my business most of the time. The demo was really great so I decided to get three units for my stores. Soon I will be confident to travel,” he said.

On the other hand, Alson’s Agricultural Corp. systems analyst Abel Villamor, PLDT offered very good service during a testing session at the Innolab in Baguio City.

PLDT President Napoleon Nazareno earlier said the company is spending P29 billion for its capital expenditures.

Nazareno said about 65 percent of the total amount would be allocated to expand its broadband business while 25 percent would be used to further expand PLDT’s fiber optic fiber network by about 10 percent next year.