Grand Land inks deal with PLDT

CEBU, Philippines - The residential property development arm of the Gaisano Grand Group of Companies recently signed a partnership deal with Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) to provide broadband technology services to the homeowners of Grand Residences.

Top officials of Grand Land Inc. and PLDT officially signed a memorandum of agreement stating the joint venture of the two companies in providing broadband access to residential owners of the flagship project of the real estate developer.

Grand Land Inc. president Ryan Bernard Go said that they chose to partner with PLDT to build the needed infrastructure of the homeowners of the mid-rise residential project.

He added that their clients need not to apply for the three communication providers since PLDT, which is owned by tycoon Manny V. Pangilinan, already offers bundle packages that range from the features and benefits for cell phones, telephones, cable and Wi-Fi connections.

“When they buy the unit from us, it will be easier for them to avail of the PLDT services with this partnership. Our aim is all about convenience and we acknowledged that technology and communication are all part of the lifestyle of Filipinos nowadays,” he stated.

Go clarified that the broadband connection that will be availed by the buyer will take effect once the units will be turned over.

He cited that they intend to convert the amenity areas in Grand Residences, such as the clubhouse, into a Wi-Fi zone.

PLDT Home marketing support vice president Raul Alvarez said that the telecommunications company is now geared towards addressing the current needs of residential communities particularly in terms of broadband connection.

“We are preparing our developments to be future-rated especially now that we offer the Fibr technology which is considered to be the fastest broadband in the world that could run up to 100 megabits per second (mbps),” he said.

He further noted that amid the real estate boom in the country, PLDT Home caters to residential projects to fulfill the company’s commitment on providing the strongest and reliable connection at home.

Alvarez cited that to date, PLDT has partnered with 50 real estate developers nationwide. 12 of which are located in Cebu.

He said that they recognized the need of residents to have access to the Internet and such product offerings of PLDT in terms of broadband service could serve as a great equalizer when buying a unit from the developer.

“Everybody is going into broadband. As a matter of fact, it is considered to be the third utility next to power and water. Constant communication is vital at present. Everybody must be connected through the Internet,” he said.

It further adds value to the unit, he added.

In his speech during the 2013 PLDT Annual Stockholders Meeting last June 14, PLDT and Smart Communications, Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Napoleon Nazareno said that Fibr is considered to be the future of broadband that is currently being used by international telephone operators like Verizon in United States and BT Infinity in United Kingdom.

“This is the most advanced broadband service and is the first in the country that connects to the home via fiber-optic lines,” he said.

PLDT Fibr’s use of fiber-optic cables which are capable of higher speeds from 12 to 100 mbps could guarantee users with a faster and more stable internet connection compared to the traditional broadband services that are usually through legacy copper lines.

“A fiber-optic enabled broadband connection means faster download speeds, video streaming and an over-all faster internet connection. What Fibr can do is to allow your entire family to enjoy simultaneous high-speed browsing and high definition downloading without experiencing any speed lags,” Nazareno stated.

Meanwhile, Alvarez then assured the homeowners of Grand Residences that the facilities for the fiber-optic enabled broadband connection will be ready before they move. They shall also lay out the specific action plans and product specifications with Grand Land, Inc. within this year.

Grand Residences is an urban condominium subdivision and resort community project that sits in a 3.2-hectare property at Barangay Kasambagan, Cebu City.

The mid-rise condominium project will comprise of six residential towers which are all 15-storey buildings.

According to Go, Grand Residences has posted a positive sales turn-out as the first tower is currently 95 percent sold while tower two is 80 percent sold to date.

They shall turn over the units of the first tower by 2014 and will top off the second tower this October. The third, tower, on the other hand, will be launched also within this year.  /JOB (FREEMAN)