GLOBE Telecom expects 3G (third generation) mobile subscribers in its network to hit half-a-million this year, said an official of the cellular firm.

Ferdinand de la Cruz, Consumer Wireless Business Group Head of Globe, said in a recent interview that there are 250,000 to 300,000 active Globe 3G users as of early this year as against the 600,000 3G-enabled handsets monitored in Globe’s network.

“There could be a million 3G handsets for this year and I think half of that could be active users of 3G services,” said de la Cruz.

The industry was expecting that the number of 3G users would shoot up once the cost of 3G handsets goes down. But the number of users who actually subscribe to 3G services has not grown rapidly.

Thus 3G firms, like Globe, are constantly on the look out how 3G technology can take off in an already competitive market.

For one, 3G technology can be used for wireless broadband service. Company president Gerardo Ablaza earlier said that 3G is not only for mobile service. “Our focus now is how 3G can be used for wireless broadband. We are committed to seeing 3G explode because it is a migration path from 2G. We are counting on our 3G HSDPA to be a major platform,” said Ablaza.

Like its rival Smart Communications Inc., which also offers 3G services, Globe has asked for additional 3G frequencies from the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).   

The joint venture between Ayala Corp. and SingTel asked the NTC for additional 3G frequency bandwidths (825 – 845 and 870 – 890 Megahertz). 

STATE-run National Power Corp. (Napocor) may be dragging its feet and causing a delay in the completion of the sale of the 600-megawatt (MW) Calaca Power Plant in Batangas to Suez Energy International.

DMCI reports 2007 net jumped 150% to P2.84B

DMCI Holdings Inc. reported a 150-percent jump in consolidated net profit to P2.84 billion in 2007 from P1.14 billion a year earlier.

SKYCABLE Corp., expects gross revenues this year to increase by half a billion pesos, the company’s chief operating officer said.

LISTED energy firm Phoenix Petroleum Philippines Inc. (PPPI) said its net profit in 2007 grew to P122 million from P74 million a year earlier as it registered a 59-percent jump in revenues to P2.4 billion.

GLOBE Telecom expects 3G (third generation) mobile subscribers in its network to hit half-a-million this year, said an official of the cellular firm.

With the foreign exchange rate stabilizing because of inflation, some banks are hoping their treasury earnings would go back near the ideal 60-40 ratio in favor of corporates.