Four 3G licensees get desired frequencies

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) assigned yesterday the 3G (third generation mobile communications technology) frequencies to four telecommunications companies granted licenses to offer 3G services in the country.

Globe Telecom, Smart Communications, Digital Telecommunications Philippines (Digitel) and Connectivity Unlimited Resource Enterprise (CURE), each were given their respective 3G frequency range to start off the nationwide rollout of their 3G networks.

Smart said it has chosen the frequency range that will enable it to provide the best quality 3G service, pointing out that this range has the least amount of interference and is located at the best position in the 3G frequency spectrum allowing for the clearest possible over-the-air transmission.

"We will maximize the use of this radio frequency spectrum we have selected in order to deliver the optimum quality of 3G services to our customers," Smart network services division head Rolando Peña said.

Smart has begun the deployment of its nationwide 3G network, with a significant number of 3G cellsites already being tested and utilized for demonstration to subscribers in key areas within Metro Manila and Metro Cebu.

Running on WCDMA (wireless code division multiple access), 3G is touted as the next wave in wireless communications. 3G enables the high-speed transmission of data, allowing a more sophisticated range of services such as video conferencing, audio streaming and mobile Internet.

For its part, Globe Telecom said it is now set to roll out its 3G service as it has also been given its desired 3G frequency in the WCDMA band. Globe expressed satisfaction as it was able to choose its desired 3G bandwidth.

"We are very pleased that we were given the opportunity to choose the frequency spectra appropriate to our 3G operations. The frequency assigned us would allow us to deliver superior quality 3G services," Globe senior vice president and corporate and regulatory affairs head Rodolfo Salalima said.

"Now that we have been given our desired 3G frequency, we can rapidly deploy our 3G service at the shortest possible time. With 3G operations, we are now ready to provide the public state of the art technology. More important and consistent with public service, the consumers are now given wider choices in service to suit their needs," Salalima added.

In July 2005, Globe successfully completed its first video calls over its 3G trial network, allowing not only voice but also full-motion real-time videos between two mobile subscribers. In doing so, Globe became the first Philippine operator to accomplish such feat. This was done under the supervision of the NTC, using 3G trial permit and frequencies from the NTC.

With 3G technology and services, customers will not only hear, but see loved ones – both here and abroad, as well as watch the news, TV shows, or sports highlights while mobile. Users can, likewise, choose to download and listen to the latest music, wherever and whenever the mood strikes them, among other applications.

With its newly obtained 3G license and radio frequency, Globe said it is all set to offer to the public 3G services this year. The company is now preparing to enlist customers for this service.