Meridian Telekoms offers Internet, virtual private networks

Government’s move to adopt wireless technology as a way of making the delivery of high-speed data connectivity immediately available even to remote areas in the country is finally gaining ground.

Meridian Telekoms Inc. says it is the country’s first commercial broadband wireless telecommunications company to provide Philippine business the first operational system offering high-speed Internet and virtual private networks (VPNs).

Several pilot sites have been deployed for Meridian services cutting across different customer environments – from big corporations to small and medium-scale enterprises, from ASPs to Internet cafes, and from dot.com companies to brick and mortar businesses.

Since early August, the company has been operating in Metro Manila and Cebu. As of last month, the company was targetting to cover 90 percent of Metro Manila. Before the end of the year, Meridian will be bringing wireless access to Davao, Bacolod, Iloilo, Tarlac, Calabarzon, Baguio, and other key cities in the country.

According to Meridian president Rene Dos Remedios, bringing the power of broadband technology to the Philippines is a big challenge.

He said that while there are several broadband access technologies already available worldwide, none addresses the immediate needs of the Philippines better than broadband wireless.

Remedios explained that in the Philippines where most of the traditional telecommunication infrastructure are simply not geared to offer broadband facilities, Meridian’s wireless technology fills the gap to make high-speed data connectivity instantly available.

"In a world where progressive nations are reaping the benefits of broadband technology, a wireless solution allows countries like the Philippines to catch up, keep pace, and even lead," he said.

Meridian’s wireless broadband Internet access aims to dramatically reduce the wait in downloading, and to eliminate dial up connection breaks. This not only enhances productivity, but facilitates complex data transmissions. Users can easily send and access a variety of applications from high-speed data, voice, video and other multi-media services, thus enriching one’s Internet experience, Remedios noted.

Meridian also provides the building blocks to make VPNs for customers with multiple sites (intranets) or business partners who are part of a supply chain (extranets). Such facilities, Remedios said, will provide the rich foundation that will help e-commerce to finally thrive in the country.

He explained that the Meridian service is a more expedient and effective alternative to traditional data connectivity solutions such as private leased lines or frame relay systems, at a reasonable price. Apart from providing broadband speeds, service installation can be done within a week compared to the several months of waiting that is common with leased lines.