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Globe joins high-speed internet bandwagon

abs-cbnNEWS.com | 06/13/2009 11:05 AM

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Even as the economic downturn makes it harder for Filipinos to stretch their paychecks, more telecommunications companies continue to roll out their expensive broadband technologies this year.

This seems to be the case even with Globe Telecom Inc., the country's second-largest phone firm, as it is set to launch its advanced broadband delivery platform on Monday in Forbes Park, Makati City.

Called gigabit-capable passive optical network, the new product uses fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) technology with speeds of up to 100 megabits per second (mbps). According to Globe Head for Consumer Broadband Business Merchi Orlina, this is the fastest internet connection in the Philippines.

Such high speeds come at a price, however, as the 100-mbps technology can only be made available for a monthly service fee of P14,995.

Still, Globe said users can avail of the 10-mbps entry plan for P3,995 a month, which includes a landline and a WiFi router, allowing a user to share his internet connection with others at home.

After its launch in Forbes Park, Globe said the product will be made available in other high-end subdivisions next month such as Bel-Air and Urdaneta in Makati City and Serendra in Taguig City.

Last month, rival Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. has announced plans of launching its FTTH broadband technology. The company is also targeting high-bandwidth residential customers such as households in high-income subdivisions and condominiums.

SkyBroadband, a unit of Lopez-owned SkyCable, has also revealed plans of using FTTH technology to carry higher bandwidth.