SEA-US consortium announces commercial operations of $250-M state-of-the-art undersea cable system

 Entertainment
Aug 162017
 

The seven-member Southeast Asia – United States (SEA-US) cable consortium announced that the full commercial operations of the USD250-million submarine fiber cable system that directly links Asia to the US for faster data transmission, more efficient connectivity and greater network resiliency, has officially been achieved on August 8, 2017.

With the recent completion of the Philippine and Indonesia portion, the cable system can now provide additional capacity for the exponential growth of bandwidth between the two continents as well as bypass congested, earthquake-prone areas to ensure business continuity even during disasters.

“We are happy that the final leg of the SEA-US cable strategically terminating in Davao, is already done. We are proud to be part of this landmark undertaking because of the immense benefits that it brings to the country and the rest of the Southeast Asian region. The facility will not only ease our dependence on the two international cable systems routed through Northern Philippines but will also provide support for the expanding business requirement for data in Southern Philippines and the country as a whole,” said Ernest L. Cu, President and CEO of Globe Telecom, one of the consortium members.  Globe commercially launch the SEA-US cable facility on August 11 – three days after the cable consortium declared SEA-US ready for commercial operations.

The SEA-US undersea cable system delivers a 20 Terabit per second capacity with state-of-the-art

100 Gigabit per second technology. It provides the fastest direct access between the U.S., Philippines and Indonesia, extending nearly 9,000 miles on a route that bypasses congested, earthquake-prone regions. The SEA-US system includes expansive and redundant terrestrial networks connecting cable stations and data centers in California, Guam and Hawaiʻi, Indonesia, and as important, Philippines.

As one of the world’s top vendors of submarine cable systems, Mr. Toru Kawauchi, General Manager of NEC’s Submarine Network Division said, “It is with deep pride that NEC hands over the key to launch SEA-US to the SEA-US consortium members. From the day we signed the contract, we have dedicated our best resources to completing this cable. There are plenty of obstacles for every cable we build, and SEA-US was not immune from this. However, together with the cable owners, we overcame each obstacle, and have come to this day. We look forward to many more years of further enhancing our relationship in order to answer the global demand for connectivity. ”

The SEA-US cable system was built by a consortium of 7 international telecommunication companies, that include Globe Telecom, PT Telekomunikasi Indonesia International (Telin), Telkom USA,

GTI Corporation (a member of the Globe Group of companies), RAM Telecom International (RTI), Teleguam Holdings (GTA) and Hawaiian Telcom (HTEL). It links five countries and territories that include

Manado (Indonesia), Davao (Philippines), Piti (Guam), Oahu (Hawaii, United States) and Los Angeles (California, United States).

Globe launches PHL’s 1st mobile money QR payment

 News
Aug 112017
 
Globe launches PHL’s 1st mobile money QR payment

Globe Telecom has set up the Philippines’ first QR payments system via smartphone with the launch of “GoPay.” GCash launches the country’s first mobile money QR payment. “GoPay” feature in the GCash app allows customers to use their GCash account to pay for goods and services by simply scanning QR codes displayed by merchants and establishments. The country’s leading mobile money service provider anticipates that the new feature will allow consumers hassle-free payments with the elimination of cash transactions, long lines, and inaccurate charges. Merchants would also benefit from “GoPay” with the elimination of expensive machines for processing mobile money transactions. “GoPay” only requires QR codes linked to the GCash wallet. The new app feature will allow even ambulant vendors and sari-sari store owners to utilize the system. "Our goal has always been to make finance more inclusive by building a cashless ecosystem. GoPay QR payments solution will close the loop and drive merchants accepting GCash payments. We plan to extend this service from all types of retailers nationwide down to our favorite fishball vendor," said John Rubio CEO and President of Mynt, a subsidiary of Globe Telecom dedicated to developing payments solutions using GCash, in a Globe Telecom release.  JM Aujero, Mynt Merchant Acquiring Head added:  “With GoPay QR, consumers don't even need to bring cash when they go shopping or when they eat out.  It is the best option for people who do not want to use credit cards but are either wary of having cash with them due to safety reasons or just want the convenience that mobile money offers.”  Read More …

Globe Telecom restores service in more Leyte, Samar towns

 Economy
Nov 202013
 
Globe Telecom restores service in more Leyte, Samar towns

MANILA, Philippines – Globe Telecom expanded further its cellular service in Leyte and Samar provinces as the telecommunications company continues to prioritize restoration of cell sites in areas that are hardest hit by the typhoon. Globe said mobile services are now available in the towns of Isabel and Palo in Leyte; Lavezares, Rosario, San Jose, San Roque and Lope de Vega  in Northern Samar; Hinunangan, Limasawa and Sogod in Southern Leyte;  San Sebastian and Pagsanghan in Western Samar and Culasi and Laua-an in Antique, Dumarao in Capiz and Daanbantayan in Cebu “Optimization of cell sites by increasing transmission power has resulted in substantial expansion of its cellular coverage in typhoon-stricken areas,” noted Robert Tan, Globe Chief Technical adviser. The telecommunications provider said it also expects to restore cellular service in Borongan, Eastern Samar anytime soon. “A major cell site facility in Borongan is essentially intact and that would give us good umbrella coverage once transmission alignment is completed,” Tan said. Globe has also restored network coverage in Cebu, Bohol, Iloilo, Negros Occidental, Negros Oriental, Bohol, Iloilo, Aklan, Antique, Southern Leyte, Northern Samar, Western Samar, Guimaras and Siquijor. In Leyte, municipalities with cellular coverage are as follows:  Bato, Hilongos, Hindang, Inopacan, Isabel, Kananga, Matag-ob, Matalom, Palompon, Palo, Santa Fe, Tabango and the cities of Baybay, Ormoc and Tacloban as well as the towns of Anahawan, Bontoc, Hinunangan, Hinundayan, Libagon, Lilo-an,  Limasawa, Macrohon, Malitbog, Padre Burgos,  Pintuyan, San Ricardo, Saint Bernard, San Francisco, San Juan, Silago, Sogod  and in Tomas Oppus in Read More …

CloudFone partners with Globe, MediaTek

 Economy
Oct 302013
 
CloudFone partners with Globe, MediaTek

MANILA, Philippines – CloudFone, an innovative mobile phone maker, together with Globe and MediaTek, is launching another innovative yet inexpensive smartphone.  The CloudFone Excite 501d raises the bar for smartphone design. Its body is crafted using a combination of sleek aluminum and premium plastic to form soft and curved edges for an excellent feel. Having a large 5.0 inch screen, the combination of metal and plastic provides the phone the look of a premium phone without sacrificing the feel of the phone on ones hand. “Most five-inch screen phones will be too big to handle but for the Excite 501d, We went to great lengths in making sure that the metal we used in our design will not affect how the phone handles by keeping it light, as well as, keeping the edges curved so that it fits easily in your pocket or handbag. We made sure that the phone’s design is gorgeous enough for users to show of to their friends and everyone else around them.” said Celine Lopez, head of marketing for CloudFone. The phone is equipped with a powerful dual core processor from MediaTek, and an auto focus 8-megapixel camera with flash that take sharp and clear images. “The high quality camera used by the Excite 501d will ensure that users will not miss capturing important moments that they can share with friends and loved ones” according to Nino Mendoza, head of sales for CloudFone. The CloudFone Excite 501d is available in all CloudFone kiosks and dealers Read More …

Globe's H1 profits up by 13%

 Economy
Aug 062013
 
Globe's H1 profits up by 13%

MANILA, Philippines – Profits of listed Globe Telecom, Inc. jumped by 13 percent from last year’s P5.7 billion to P6.4 billion in the first half of 2013, the company announced on Tuesday. “We are pleased with our first half performance despite the ongoing network and IT (information technology) modernization initiatives we are undertaking to serve our customers better,” Globe president and Chief Executive Officer Ernest Cu said. The company posted consolidated revenues of P44.5 billion, rising by 9 percent from the P40.8 billion in recorded in the first half of 2012. Revenues from Globe’s mobile business hit P35.8 billion, P2.6 billion higher than what it posted in the same period last year. Its broadband arm also generated P5.1 billion in revenues in the first semester, while its fixed line data revenues posted P2.3 billion. Globe’s total number of subscribers, meanwhile, reached 36.1 million in the first half of the year, 14 percent higher than what it recorded in the first of 2012. “We anticipate competition to escalate in the second semester given the gains we’ve realized in the past, and anticipated launches of in-demand mobile devices from Apple and Samsung in the second half of the year. We’ve built up great momentum during the first semester, and we need to strive harder to sustain it in this very competitive and fast paced environment. We remain confident that with the modernized Globe network and IT infrastructure that is nearing its completion, we’ll be able to deliver superior value and differentiated customer Read More …

Globe asks court for Bayantel's debt restructuring

 Economy
May 292013
 
Globe asks court for Bayantel's debt restructuring

MANILA, Philippines — Local carriers Globe Telecom and Bayan Telecommunications have filed a motion with a court seeking to restructure Bayantel’s debt of $423.3 million. Following Globe’s tender offer for the Bayantel debt in 2012, Globe currently holds approximately 96.5 percent of the total financial indebtedness of Bayantel. The joint motion aims to achieve a rehabilitation of Bayantel. Globe disclosed Bayantel’s operations from traditional fixed line services, growing competition, have not generated sufficient revenue to continue making the debt payments under its present rehabilitation plan. If approved by the court, Globe expects the restructuring would lessen the debt to about $131.3 million. Globe believes such a restructuring would allow them to further strengthen collaborative efforts with Bayantel regarding local exchange networks, corporate data and broadband businesses.