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PLDT LAUNCHES FTTH PROGRAM FOR ITS PHILIPPINES' BROADBAND SERVICEMay 26, 2009 (AsiaPulse via COMTEX) -- MANILA, May 26 (PNA) The Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) has announced it is launching within this year its fiber to the home (FTTH) program as part of its efforts to intensify its broadband deliver platform. PLDT, in its disclosure to the Philippine Stock Exchange (PSE) Tuesday, said once activated, FTTH will deliver high-speed data to homes and buildings. It said FTTH uses fiber optic technology which transmits data via light signals send through thin strands of pure glass. It added the new platform will be able to deliver simultaneous voice, video and data services at much higher speed and larger capacities than DSL or cable technologies. Fiber to home (FTTH) is a quantum leap forward in terms of broadband services. This demonstrates PLDTs commitment to offer its customers cutting edge communication technologies, said PLDT president and chief executive officer Napoleon L. Nazareno. Initial tests by PLDT on FTTH have shown that the new platform is capable of 94.86 megabits per second (MBPS) and has upload rate of 69.39 MBPS. At this speed, the telecommunication firm said it would only take one second to download a five megabyte (MB) file, only three seconds for 35 MB video clip and one minute to download a 800 MB movie. PLDT chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan personally saw FTTHs performance by watching the recent Manny Pacquiao-Ricky Hatton bout via video streaming using such platform. Excellent reception. Excellent definition of the pictures, he said. PLDT added the new service will be initially marketed to high bandwith residential customers such as households in high income subdivisions and condominiums. Pilot areas for FTTH include Bonifacio Global City, Forbes Park, Urdaneta Village, Ayala Alabang, Dasmarinas Village, Wack-Wack, Ayala Heights, Valle Verde and certain places covered by PLDT Subictel and PLDT Clarktel. We are targeting 1,000 customers this year and expand to 10,000 later on, PLDT further stated. The telecommunication firm said FTTH will simplify the delivery of various services. For instance, a customer can avail of telephone, video, audio and television and just about any kind of digital data service through a single FTTH connection. It also explained that there is no signal degradation with FTTH, adding that the system is future proof because the new technologies being developed now are based on fiber optic technology. PLDT said services such as 3D holographic high-definition television and video games can be delivered via fiber to the home. FTTH represents a new level of business for our fixed line business. "If we can build this extensively in all major cities and municipalities, FTTH will redefine and reshape our fixed line business," Pangilinan said. PLDT is an integrated provider of fixed-line, broadband, cellular and information and communication technology (ICT) services. (PNA) |