ePLDT extends Wi-Fi coverage to US, Asia

ePLDT, the information and communications technology arm of the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), and a member of the Wireless Broadband Alliance (WBA), has extended its wireless broadband roaming coverage in Asia and the US after sealing deals with some of the world’s leading operators.

ePLDT subscribers can now enjoy their Wi-Fi subscription even while in Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, US and Japan after the company sealed roaming deals with leading operators Maxis Malaysia, Starhub, Hong Kong CSL, T-Mobile USA and NTT Communications, respectively.

Roaming arrangements with NTT, Korea Telecom and True Thailand will likewise follow suit. Company officials explained that ePLDT customers will now be able to take their Wi-Fi subscription to enjoy a consistent, global wireless broadband experience with access to information, communications and entertainment at more than 18,700 Wi-Fi hotspot locations from selected countries in Southeast Asia and North America.

Participating WBA members include, among others, British Telecom, China Netcom, Telecom Italia, True Thailand, Swisscom and Orange.

Officials added that ePLDT’s membership in the WBA does not only highlight the Philippines as a world-class entity in the technology arena, but more importantly, gives Filipino Internet users the opportunity to roam outside the country and still be connected online.

Business travelers, they pointed out, will likewise be able to keep track of office activities while away at a board meeting in Hong Kong or at a client call in the US.

Through international Wi-Fi roaming, coordination between colleagues and partners are clearer and faster, thus, increasing efficiency and effectively reducing costs, they said.

According to WBA chairman Kyong Yu, the WBA continues to broaden the appeal of wireless broadband by linking member networks together, enabling seamless roaming and ensuring that a consistent user experience is reflected throughout the world.

"Work has also started towards integrating our members’ mobile and fixed networks into the wireless broadband to access in order to remain connected," he said.

For his part, ePLDT president Ray Espinosa stressed that the company "is extremely proud to represent the Philippines in the WBA."

"As a mover in the local technology industry, our vision is for our country to be recognized as one of Asia’s fastest-growing Wi-Fi-intensive markets by year-end," he said.