THE second-largest telecommunications provider in the Philippines has tied up with a satellite-based Internet peering (IP) communications-technology company to bolster its portfolio of services for its business clients.
Globe Telecom Inc., through its enterprise unit Globe Business, recently struck a partnership with VT iDirect Inc. (iDirect) that will allow the local telco to tap on the very small aperture terminals (VSAT) of the latter. Through VSAT, Globe will be running data services in the Philippines over a Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) network, targeting automated teller machines (ATM), mining and government services as initial markets.
The iDirect Evolution platform, coupled with the iDirect X3 remote, provides flexibility and efficiency necessary to help Globe deliver services that meet the demands of customers, which include large companies, multinational corporations and the like.
“Globe Business further increases its influence in the region by partnering with iDirect Asia as we combine our expertise for Philippine businesses to leverage on best-in-class satellite capabilities. This synergy further strengthens our commitment to provide our customers leading technologies to enable them to advance their ICT functions,” said Globe Business Senior Vice President Nikko Acosta.
iDirect Asia General Manager Tom Cheong said the partnership with Globe marks the foray of his company into the Philippine market.
“Our partnership with Globe Telecom, by way of Globe Business, marks iDirect’s initial entry into the Philippines and further demonstrates VSAT’s strong growth in the Asia-Pacific region. It showcases one of the unique value propositions that satellite can deliver, being able to provide high-speed connectivity to regions of the country that had previously been unconnected,” he said.
According to officials of both companies, delivering connectivity to regions of the Philippines that require the reach of terrestrial services generates new social and economic opportunities not only for the telecommunication company’s business clientele, but also its individual customers.
In addition, VSAT deployed through Globe Business can help establish disaster recovery networks to enable maintaining voice and data communications at all times.
Globe booked a net income of P10.53 billion in the first nine months of the year, fueled by an increase in service revenues which is at P72.7 billion, despite a faster rise in expenses to P42.9 billion.