PLDT, Sun offer end-to-end wireless solutions for SMEs

CEBU, Philippines - With a growing subscriber base in the province, two telecommunication companies promoted technology as a key enabler for the business sector, particularly the Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), to have a competitive edge in the industry.

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) SME Nation and Sun Cellular recently introduced Sun Business that offers end-to-end wireless solutions for enterprises during its first Sun on Wheels event last September 6 at the Grand Convention Center in Cebu.

PLDT SME Nation Vice President and Head Katrina Luna-Abelarde said that the synergy between PLDT and Sun is intended to provide unified, unique and better business solutions for SME enterprises.

She added that since Sun is predominantly mobile, it has to leverage with a company offering fixed and wireless solutions which she then pertained to PLDT.

“The entry of Sun in PLDT develops the cohesive products for businesses. Every entrepreneur is becoming more mobile. They are expanding their mobile assets, same as their branches. They have to connect with people,” she continued.

To date, she cited that PLDT has an approximate number of 60,000 to 65,000 SME clients while Sun caters to the needs of its 17,000 to 20,000 users.

She said that both companies are bullish to hit their moving targets for the subscriber base depending on the temperature of the markets.

She noted that Visayas and Mindanao regions in particular are growing faster than Manila which is a good sign for a healthy market penetration.

Abelarde said that the Sun Business advocates in bringing technology among entrepreneurs that would provide more efficiency, increase in their profit and cut their costs.

“Technology is the key enabler that allows entrepreneurs no matter how small are, to compete with the large enterprises. Although there is still a level of hesitation among others, technology is so pervasive that they have no choice to get in the trend and it’s already a part of our everyday lives,” she stated.

She said that there is a significant increase on the adoption of technology especially among SMEs since entrepreneurs have utilized the interactive means of phone calls, SMS and social media.

As businessmen have incorporated Twitter and Facebook as part of their marketing strategies, she then described the social media as the fastest growing medium that is propelled by the rising popularity of the Internet.

She further said that both companies are committed to provide business solutions that are tailor fit to all market segments paired with the right pricing.

“Whatever cost you save or an increase of profit will outweigh the investment that you plow in technology,” Abelarde concluded. — (FREEMAN)