Go digital, or don’t go at all. That’s the virtual message shared with the delegates at the Asian Carrier Conference (ACC) 2015 in Cebu.
The conference sought to guide delegates to navigate the rapidly changing landscape of digital technology because that’s the only way to thrive and survive. In particular, it showcased how telecommunication companies are transforming themselves to remain competitive.
Advancements in digital age are, in fact, connected with everything we do today. With its theme “The Connected Digital Economy of Telecoms,” ACC 2015 opened its doors to delegates from all over the world on September 1 at the Shangri-La’s Mactan Resort and Spa Cebu. The conference was hosted by the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., Smart Communications Inc., and Sun Cellular, together with a roster of sponsors and partners.
Napoleon L. Nazareno, PLDT president and CEO, opened the plenary session with a speech on the “digital economy.” He said digital economy encompasses all markets and countries that use digital computing technologies to come up with a desired output.
“It is sometimes called the Internet economy or the web economy,” he said.
As more people use the Internet for practically everything, this will prompt an increase in the number of mobile-device users, specifically the smartphone. Pretty soon consumers will go online using their mobile gadgets as their only means of access. This, in turn, makes it easier for the larger companies to acquire the traditional ones, from cable companies to TV, music and the like.
These developments are the reasons PLDT invests and partners with different and multiple companies, to sustain its growth and development, explained Nazareno, calling this approach digital diversification, wherein the company partners with global digital content and solutions firms and then invests in joint ventures when the company sees value that can be added to its core businesses.
Some of their partnerships have led to Fox, Disney and iflix, while Smart Communications have partnered with Apple, Spinnr and Deezer for music streaming.
Nazareno said digital economy does not only cater to music, movies and games as it can address a wider market expansion in other industries, as well.
“That is why companies should strive to use digital data, voice, etc., to uplift the status of one’s community or nation. The web economy should make a relevant impact on the development of the various sectors of industries,” he said.
A telecom industry player—or any industry player for that matter—should strive to improve the lives of its consumers with its products and services.
And it should also strive to not just merely connect but to strengthen connections, as well, Nazareno said.