The business arm of PLDT is eyeing 2018 as a year of more business ventures and investments in information and communication technologies and infrastructure expansions.
During the previous year, the telco giant introduced innovations in various industries and cutting across diverse markets under its umbrella. These include the implementation of cashless transactions via its card payment facility PayMaya in select establishments from AFFI (Association of Filipino Franchisers, Inc.), PFA (Philippine Franchising Association), and most recently McDonald’s Philippines, the SM Store and Mercury Drug; and enhanced wide-area network connectivity powered by Meraki cloud-managed solutions in partnership with CISCO.
It was also a productive year for ICT infrastructure expansions for the group as ePLDT opened 2 new VITRO Data Centers in Clark and Davao. This is part of the company’s target of opening operations for 10 new data centers in the key areas around the country for upgraded digital data centers that meet international standards for businesses and government agencies.
“2017 was a strong and productive year for the PLDT Enterprise group. Strategic alliances were successfully formed with various local and global industry leaders to deliver the most advanced innovative solutions built to help Filipino businesses become better equipped and more competitive,” said Jovy Hernandez, SVP and head of PLDT and Smart Enterprise Groups.
In 2017, the telco company reaped awards including the 2017 Partner of the Year and Cloud Solutions Provider for SMEs from Microsoft, and the 2017 Tier-2 Partner of the Year from CISCO.
FVP and head of PLDT SME Nation Mitch Locsin noted the growing importance of MSMEs in the Philippines: “There is huge potential in our Filipino entrepreneurs, and we acknowledge their continuous need for technological education and empowerment. The past few years prove fruitful for PLDT and its trusted business partners, and with a courageous heart, iron will and sound investments as our ammunition, 2018 is set to be even a greater milestone for all our stakeholders.”
PLDT promises $1B for continuous network expansion in 2018. Highlights to watch out for in the upcoming year include the launch of PLDT Clarktel Disaster Recovery Facility, and VITRO Data Center in Cebu. The VITRO Network of Data Centers boasts the only three Data Centers in the country with TIA942 Tier 3 Certifications. Investments in capability and expertise across Cloud, Cyber Security, and Managed IT Services to establish more internationally competitive technology systems in the country will also serve as bulk of such investments.
