Smart Broadband Inc. (SBI), a unit of Smart Communications Inc., said it expects its wireless broadband subscribers to increase by 450,000 more in three years if it will be allowed to operate in the 700-megahertz (MHz) spectrum.

SBI is applying for 48 MHz of additional frequency in the 700-MHz lower bandwidth and another 48 MHz in the upper band.

The frequency bandwidths are essential to SBI’s planned deployment of WiMax, or Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access. WiMax allows access to wireless data over long distances in a variety of ways, from point-to-point links to full mobile cellular-type access.

In a filing with the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), SBI projects the number of subscribers for its WiMax 700-MHz lower band to reach 70,000 for the first year, increasing to 150,000 and 200,000 for the second and third years, respectively.

For the 700-MHz upper band, the number of subscribers is projected at 100,000 on the first year, growing to 180,000 on the second year and 250,000 on the third year.

A total of 750 wireless broadband sites will be put up during the three-year period.

SBI told the NTC that there are various services that may be offered using WiMax technology operating on 700 MHz. Basic services may include broadband Internet, voice-over Internet protocol, text messaging and electronic messaging.

Interactive broadcasting services (broadcasting portal, browser, shopping, multimedia service, e-mail and tribes) and Web applications can also be accessed through WiMax. For Web applications, SBI said a subscriber can access wireless video-streaming sharing and digital-voice communicator on a handheld radio.

SmartBro, SBI’s brand name, added more than 46,000 subscribers in the first quarter of the year to reach 348,000 subscribers.

The company recently launched a prepaid wireless broadband service called Smart Bro prepaid. The kit—which costs P4,500—includes a Smart Bro Plug-it USB modem, a SIM card, and P30 worth of free broadband load, which can be used for up to an hour and 30 minutes.

“The Internet is the new cellular. The Internet should be for all. We will put it in the hands of everybody,” said Smart chief wireless advisor Orlando Vea.

But rival Globe Telecom is already ahead with this technology. It recently completed technical trials for WiMax. “We are now looking at different vendor alternatives and possibly start offering it commercially later this year,” said Globe president Gerardo Ablaza.

The Globe official is confident that registered broadband subscribers will double by yearend from 129,000 as of end-March.

“OUR plate is full.”

Contrary to reports that it has expressed interest over some shareholdings in the Manila Electric Co. (Meralco), the Aboitizes denied Wednesday that they are interested to gain a foothold in the country’s largest power distributor.

Rise in ad spending to push up GMA revenues

DESPITE the lack of political ad spending this year, GMA Network Inc. is still bullish it could end 2008 with a 20-percent growth in both revenues and net profit.

Aboitiz Equity Ventures (AEV) posted a P1.18-billion profit in the first three months of the year, or 9-percent higher than a year ago.

Its power group boosted earnings with P761 million in contribution, followed by the banking group’s P232 million and food group’s P156 million.

NOT again.

Washington Z. Sycip may have uttered this upon learning that the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) questioned his nomination for reelection as an independent director of Benpres Holdings Corp., a Lopez-controlled company.

Smart Broadband Inc. (SBI), a unit of Smart Communications Inc., said it expects its wireless broadband subscribers to increase by 450,000 more in three years if it will be allowed to operate in the 700-megahertz (MHz) spectrum.

COMMISSIONER Ruel Canobas of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) and three other department heads were subpoenaed yesterday by a Makati court in connection with a motion to terminate rehabilitation proceedings and to allow the liquidation of Liberty Telecoms.

Ashmore Situations Fund 4 Ltd. Partnership has bought the 40-percent stake of Aramco Overseas Co. B.V., a Saudi firm registered in the Netherlands.