CaTV industry seeks new business, tech development tack

The country’s multimillion-peso cable TV industry is reassessing its position in pursuit of new and better paths for business and technological development.

This is the thrust of "Cable 101: Back to Basics," the theme of the three-day 10th Philippine International Cable Show that will be staged at the Cebu International Convention Center in the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel beginning Wednesday.

Organized by the Philippine Cable TV Association (PCTA) and managed by Worldexco, the Cable Show 2002 will feature top local and international speakers who will discuss burning industry issues, including specific business concerns and how to bring about the so-called "convergence."

The show, according to the PCTA, will also enable the local industry players to link up with international suppliers, shop for the newest programs and equipment, and exchange information with government executives, program providers and manufacturers from Asia, Europe and the United States.

Opening the event is Transportation and Communications Secretary Pantaleon Alvarez, who will deliver the keynote address after welcome remarks from Cable 2002 chairman Raul Monasterio, PCTA president Manuel Dabao, Cebu City Mayor Tomas Osmeña, Rep. Simeon Kintanar of the House transportation and communications committee, and PCTA vice president for Mindanao Jose Lobregat.

Alvarez will also lead a luncheon session where the convergence bill and related issues will be tackled. He will be joined by Kintanar and National Telecommunications Commissioner Eliseo Rio Jr. and Deputy Commissioner Jane Borje.

The first day of the three-day conference will have Southern Cablevision chairman Ralph Casino speaking on "Opportunities for Increased Revenue"; Parasat Cable TV president Elpidio Paras on "Running a Cost-Efficient Network"; and Lobregat and Dabao on "Setting the Benchmark for Subscription Fees Nationwide."

The following day, the speakers are Intellectual Property Office director-general Emma Francisco on "Piracy and Its Impact on Industry Development," and Casino on "Building Effective Customer Relations." These will be followed by product presentations by Cable Boss, Arirang TV and CYO.

The third and final day will have Scientific Atlanta applications engineer Rick Baron speaking on "Maximizing Bandwidth and Minimizing Upgrade Cost"; Trilithic Inc. regional sales manager Bob Jackson on "Implementing Return Path/Digital Technologies"; C-Cor.net senior sales engineer Rey Gonzales and applications and training engineer Peter Carr on "Integrating Optical and RF Technologies"; Coast CATV president Nicholas Meko on "Making the Right Choice"; and Paras on "Implementing a Viable Program Tiering Package."

Cable Show 2002 is supported by TV 5 Monde, Cable Boss, Philippine Airlines, Manila Bulletin, Television Asia, Telecable, Viewers Magazine and PCTA member-companies.