PLDT myDSL seeks to double clients in Cebu

CEBU, Philippines - After a successful fiscal year last 2008, PLDT myDSL is looking at more business growth especially in their presence here in Cebu, which is considered as their number one growth area in the country.

During the launching of their Cebu-based promo dubbed the Laptop Blowout at Club Vudu, Gary Dujali assistant vice president and category head for PLDT myDSL said that the company is looking at a more aggressive year this year.

“Although it will be tougher this year considering that there is a crisis, we still want to reach everybody and provide them their broadband requirements. Out target is to hit 100 percent households for our DSL facility,” said Dujali.

He added that since 2008 has been a monumental year for myDSL, they envision to double their consumer base by yearend.

“Cebu remains our number one zone so the area plays an essential part of our massive marketing efforts. The targets here are high considering the huge number of ports we have invested here and the positive economic situation of the area and the high PC ownership,” said Dujali.

He revealed that for 2008 over 2007, PLDT’s broadband segment was able to grow 30 to 40 percent on top of the small and medium scaled entrepreneurs that they have already captured.

“We hope to grow further the number of our broadband segment this year. We do not believe on short term result so we do brand building and consumer relations. Through the years, we build more relationship to assure them of our quality service. PLDT has invested so much on our systems so that we can upgrade our new and existing subscribers,” said Dujali.

He discussed that despite the slowdown of the market, they were still able to grow their subscriber base and in Cebu, they currently have around 30,000 to 40,000 subscribers.

“Cebu is our number one city nationwide in terms of getting new subscribers. Our challenge now is the crisis. But we hope to address this with serving good price points which are cheaper than the rates in net cafés,” said Dujali.

He said that the Cebu market can do so much and has huge market potential because the market is widely segmented and not limited to some segments only so we are able to roll out something new and expanding our presence here,” said Dujali.

Right now, My DSL is targeting the household segment because the SMEs segment is only a few.

“Its been hard to convince moms to appropriate money monthly for internet connection so we go to them instead of them going to us and we create relationships with them so that they can see the reason why they should get connected,” said Dujali.

He said that to further boost their subscriber base, they have always tried to make their products exciting coming up with new promos suited for the different segments of the market.

Next week, PLDT myDSL will be bringing in one of its 49 Speedster bus that will serve as a portal wherein new and existing subscribers can check out and experience the latest product offerings of PLDT.

The bus will be rolled out from different municipalities of the North to the South of Cebu. — Rhia de Pablo