Smart unit to put up P2-B wireless infra

Smart Communication’s subsidiary Meridian Telekoms Inc. (MTI) is investing around P2 billion over a three-year period to establish a nationwide broadband wireless access (BWA) infrastructure system to meet the country’s demand for high-speed data information.

Meridian was granted a legislative franchise under Republic Act 8337 to construct, install, establish, maintain, lease and operate wire and/or wireless telecoms system throughout the country. In addition, the firm was granted a provisional authority by the National Telecommunications System (NTC) last March 23 to install and operate a nationwide data leased line.

In 2000, MTI registered pioneering projects with the Board of Investments (BOI) such as the data inter-exchange carrier telecommunication service and value-added Internet services.

As a data-Internet exchange carrier (Data IXC) and Internet service provider (ISP), MTI has developed an infrastructure to provide IT data networking services for corporate, institutional and public service sector customers.

MTI, now on its 5th year of commercial operation with a steady growing number of clientele from Metro Cebu, Davao and Manila intends to venture into servicing last-mile residential clients. Meridian is now bringing the power of technology to any home in the country.

The BWA that it will set up will provide nationwide data communication services for residential clients.

E-mails, online transaction processing system such as bills payment shopping, surfing, and information generation are the most common data applications that subscribers are expected to use.

MTI estimates that the BWA project will require about 300 additional personnel mostly from the field of information technology and electronics and communication engineering.

Meridian’s major stockholders are Smart Communications Inc. and Rene Ma. B Dos Remedios.