Filipino operator PLDT is enhancing its nationwide network using Nokia’s digital operations software, cloud infrastructure software and AirFrame servers.
PLDT and its mobile unit Smart Communications will use Nokia’s suite of solutions to standardise their virtualisation environment for multi-vendor applications, improving customer experience, speed of delivery and cost of production. The deployment is now underway.
Mario G. Tamayo, Head of Technology at PLDT and Smart, said: “Our deployment of Nokia’s software and infrastructure solutions has allowed us to tap into new levels of agility, flexibility and efficiency as we add innovative new offerings to complement our current market-leading consumer and enterprise services.”
Raghav Sahgal, President of Cloud and Network Services at Nokia, added: “By automating service, network and cloud operations, PLDT and Smart will not only be able to drive cost-savings, but also increase customer satisfaction – two business objectives that are typically challenging to do simultaneously but are possible with the help of Nokia’s solutions.”
Meanwhile, rival operator Globe Telecom has stated that it is exploring the use of satellite technologies to connect areas of the Philippines that currently have no access to wired infrastructure. To this end, it has held talks with providers of alternative broadband services that use both low and high-orbit satellites.
Globe’s head of broadband Darius Delgado noted that remote and rural regions in particular would benefit from the operator’s push towards delivering nationwide connectivity, noting that such areas often did not receive wired infrastructure due to their minimal household density.
While satellite presents an opportunity to redress this, Globe acknowledged that the high cost of building out the infrastructure required to offer satellite services would need to come down for mass coverage to be financially feasible.
However, Delgado argued that the reliability of satellite coverage could be the key factor that brought customers on board, arguing: “It’s really about having something relevant that we can serve up reliably to address customer needs.”
