Globe: A future proof network upgrade

I was in Manila last Tuesday to attend the launching of Globe Telecom’s “Future-proof Network” which uses the most advanced 4G technologies like HSPA+ and Long Term Evolution (LTE). For us lesser mortals, this means 3G technologies would now be available in all Globe cellsites. To the not-so-techie folks, 4G means faster video downloading, which should be good news to those who are using Smart phones like the iPhone or the iPad. This is IT transformation at its best. Soon, dropped calls will be a rarity.

I guess this is Globe’s way of anticipating where the new smart mobile phone technology is headed. By now you must have noticed that most of the cellphones sold in stores are already Internet capable and that means, you can push your email and yes, Facebook on your mobile phone. Globe Telecom CEO Ernest Cu was still explaining to their guests about this new improved network when I was already taking photos on my iPhone and uploading it in my Facebook.

But then we were at the Manila Peninsula in Makati, the most technologically wired spot in the Philippines. However, during our bike rides out of Cebu and into far-flung provinces, often my 3G phone becomes only a simple phone. But with this new network modernization program, Globe is setting up a standards-based IT architecture that is robust, scalable and flexible, allowing Globe to respond to future business requirements.

To Globe users, this means a network upgrade that increases fiber optics by 50% which translates to increase in capacity, that means our internet capable mobile phones can download applications much faster than before. In a congested area like Cebu City or Makati, this improved system is good for the Telecom industry simply because the prices of smart phones are dropping fast, especially with the stiff competition between Apple, Google and its Android system.

Rebuilding its current networks and strengthening it means capital expenditure and this is expected to cost around $90 million over the next five years aside from the $70 million already earmarked for the year 2012 and 2013. These improved network systems mean instantaneous messaging for mobile users and quick call connections and a high-speed mobile Internet access.

I also met officials of Globe’s technology partner, Huawei in establishing a Joint Innovation Center (JIC) and tap into the 17 R&D centers of Huawei all over the world. With this new development from Globe Telecom, we can very well say that we will truly have a very exciting future.

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In the old days, the people who were in the minority, but shouted the loudest still end up what they really were… a minority. But thanks to the Aquino administration, the noisy left has become so emboldened to speak out and be heard and they almost always land in the front pages of the newspapers, shouting as if they were speaking for and in behalf of the Filipino people. In truth, they represent a small minority of the Filipino people, otherwise, they would have already run for public office and won. But as it is, their entry into the hallowed halls of Congress is through the Party-list system.

One such fellow is Bayan Muna Rep. Teodoro Casiño whom media seem to quote more often than not. His latest tirade is aimed at former Pres. Gloria Macapagal Arroyo, who is also his fellow member in Congress. Rep. Casiño is asking the former President to give up her Congressional seat because of her being arrested for election sabotage. How many members of Congress are facing criminal charges and yet they remain as Representatives of their respective districts simply because they have not yet been convicted.

But in the eyes of the leftist Rep. Casiño he has already convicted the former President. Obviously, Rep. Casiño has forgotten that he is already a lawmaker and as such, there are certain norms, laws or rules that we have to live by… and that includes our basic human right of innocence until our guilt is proven, which is guaranteed under our constitution. Call the former President lucky that we still live under our present democratic form of government and not a communist one; otherwise, people like Teddy Casiño would have already placed her in a kangaroo court and executed her!

Once more allow me to ring the alarm bells before it is too late. The Aquino administration’s Daan Matuwid is making a dangerous turn to the left with people in his administration coming from the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Philippines or members of the National Democratic Front (NDF). The CCP is gaining strength because we have forgotten the Magsaysay Doctrine, which is Find them, Fool them, Fight them and Finish them, then offer them the hand of peace.” Don’t say I didn’t warn you!

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