Pacific Internet keen on Asia’s broadband mart

Pacific Internet Ltd., Asia’s leading Internet solutions provider based in Singapore, is positioning itself to become the top broadband service provider in the region, including the Philippines.

"Our consumer business remains robust and we continue to lead in this market," said Pacific Internet Phils. president Jojie Yap.

"However, we see significant growth opportunities in our corporate business and we intend to push more aggressively in this segment of the market in line with the overall strategy of the Pacific Internet group," she added.

Pacific Internet recently launched a network broadband service for small and medium enterprises in Metro Manila. To strengthen this new brand of service, PacNet Phils. is further exploring partnerships with local telephone firms, especially for its two digital subscriber line (DSL) packages: network broadband access and network broadband access plus which the company launched last February.

Last year, the group’s efforts to tailor broadband services to the specific needs of its clients yielded a sevenfold increase in the number of its subscribers in the region. Corporate broadband subscriptions grew by 456 percent and consumer broadband by 650 percent.

"We will continue to drive volume by offering broadband services to small and medium-sized enterprises and enhance margins through leased lines, data hosting and value-added services to regional clients," said Pacific Internet Ltd. chief executive officer Tan Tong Hai.

He said PacNet would explore other broadband platforms to deliver high-speed connectivity. "Our aim is to position Pacific Internet as a leading broadband service provider in Asia," Tan added.

Moving forward, the firm will focus on broadband services, expand strongly in the corporate market which yields betters margins, grow the regional businesses outside Singapore by increasing customer base in the existing five countries and exploring new markets, introduce innovative services and solutions, and leverage on international corporate partnerships to accelerate growth in existing and new markets.

Its net revenues in the fourth quarter as of end-December 2001, grew to $20.6 million, up 31 percent from $15.7 million in the same period in 2000.

For the full-year 2001, net revenues rose 29 percent to $76.4 million, the bulk of which came from broadband and leased lines.

Pacific Internet Ltd. is the leading and most experienced regional Internet solutions provider (ISP) in Asia, offering award-winning Internet solutions. It was voted Best ISP in Asia for three consecutive years (1999, 2000, 2001) by Telecom Asia.

In the Philippines, Pacific Internet serves a large network of both dial-up and corporate leased line customers and offers both postpaid and prepaid Internet access.