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Globe legacy network better than Smart’s upgraded network NTC test results show Globe 2x better in grade of service

7:02 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

A recent network benchmark test conducted by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), comparing the Grade of Service and overall signal quality of both Globe Telecom and Smart Communications against NTC Cellular Mobile Telephone System (CMTS) standards showed the Globe legacy network outperforming competition’s recently modernized network in terms of grade of service. The Globe legacy network also performed at parity with the upgraded network of Smart in almost all other metrics.

In the most important benchmark where the NTC has an applied industry standard consisting of Grade of Service or Call Setup Failure Rate (CSFR), Globe Telecom’s legacy network outperformed its competition who has widely announced its network upgrade completion. With the Grade of Service or CSFR standard set by the NTC at 4%, Globe recorded a nearly identical 4.45% while Smart registered a distant 9.95% (closer to the industry standard is better). This means that call success rates are higher using the Globe legacy network at 95.55%. For consumers, the experience is that it is easier to call using the Globe legacy network with more calls getting connected even at first try.

For Drop Call Rate, the NTC standard is 2%, and test results showed both telcos performed within the standard with Globe registering 1.6% at parity with Smart’s 1.5%. Clearly, the results belie the claims made by Smart in its multi-million negative advertising campaigns pointing out drop calls and difficulty in making calls within the Globe legacy network.

In terms of Call Set Up Time, both telcos performed within the acceptable standard of below 14 seconds. The Globe legacy network performed at parity with 11.9 seconds versus the Smart upgraded network at 11.74 seconds. This is a measure of how fast domestic calls get connected from one number to the other.

Other metrics in the study included Average Signal Quality with a minimum acceptable range of 0-4, the closer to 0, the better. The telcos performed at parity, both performing above 0.50. The final metric is the Average Receive Signal Level with a minimum acceptable range of -85 dBm. Both telcos did not make it to the standard.

The NTC benchmark study was conducted during the second quarter of 2012 in sixteen cities in Metro Manila, through network drive tests using prepaid SIMs of both telcos with a sample size of over 3,000 test calls.

NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba earlier called the attention of both Globe Telecom and Smart Communications on what he referred to as increasing complaints from customers about drop calls and undelivered text messages, asking both firms to explain the causes for the disruptions and to give a timetable for completion of their network modernization programs.

Globe Telecom President and CEO Ernest Cu in his reaction to the recent NTC benchmark results said, ”It is now clear who is telling the truth and really giving good service to the public even with just our legacy network. Competition has claimed they are done with their upgrade and there’s no denying the official results from NTC quality tests show their upgraded network performs even below NTC standards. As soon as we fully fire up our brand new network, our subscribers and the entire nation will enjoy a whole new mobile experience that is once again pioneered by Globe Telecom.”

Globe announced recently that its $700-million network modernization program is more than 50% done and is progressively rolling out ahead of schedule for change-out completion nationwide within the first quarter of 2013. Cu said that unlike other transformation programs that involve merely upgrades, Globe is building a brand-new network that is future-proof and built to provide higher call quality, pervasive 3G and 4G coverage, and faster mobile internet experience.

Globe to offer revolutionary Nano-SIMs in Globe Stores this month

7:21 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

Globe Telecom is now gearing up to offer the new Nano-SIMs in Globe Stores this September as it provides subscribers a new and better mobile experience.

The Nano-SIMs are new generation subscriber identity module (SIM) cards for the latest generation of smartphones and handsets running on the most modern mobile network technologies. Globe has ordered as much as 5x more Nano-SIMs than its regular SIM stocks, anticipating high customer demand when smartphones running on Nano-SIMs are offered in the market.

According to the European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), the new Nano-SIM cards will be 40% smaller than the Micro-SIM, the smallest SIM card design to date, and will measure 12.3 millimeters wide, 8.8 millimeters high, and 0.67 millimeters thick.

“The Nano-SIM cards are packaged and distributed in a way that is backward- compatible with existing SIM cards. The new design will offer the same functionality as all current SIM cards,” added ETSI. “When Nano-SIM cards enter production, their size will free up room inside mobile phones for additional memory and larger batteries, helping phone vendors create thinner devices”, revealed Giesecke & Devrient, a global pioneering innovator that provides end-to-end solutions for identification systems and mobile security applications.

“Once again, Globe pioneers in bringing the latest technologies to Filipino mobile phone users as we offer the revolutionary Nano-SIMs in our Globe Stores with the availability of newer smartphone models using this type of SIM very soon. With the Nano-SIM and its stunning features and specifications, our smartphone experience will definitely be taken to another level,” said Martha Sazon, Head of Globe Postpaid.

The ETSI produces globally-applicable standards for Information and Communications Technologies (ICT), including fixed, mobile, radio, converged, broadcast and internet technologies.

Globe Business powers premiere cloud computing conference

7:21 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

Globe Business recently backed CloudCamp 2012, one of the world’s biggest gathering of early adapters, proponents and developers of cloud solutions and related technologies in the country. CloudCamp is a series of conferences held around the world each year, conceptualized by those who adopted cloud computing in its infancy so they can have a venue in discussing issues about it. Using a unique conference format where the delegates freely exchanged ideas in pocket sessions, this year’s leg of the CloudCamp held at the Marriott Hotel in Cebu gathered IT experts as well as novices who intend to tap cloud computing as a service for their businesses. The Cebu leg of CloudCamp focused on the types of cloud computing services such as infrastructure, software and platform.

The concept behind cloud computing is the sharing of resources similar to an electricity grid, with the Internet serving as its network. As a fully-managed service, Globe Business Cloud Solutions allows companies to gain access to a “pool of servers” connected to a digital network. This translates to lower cost structures of enterprises, enhanced business agility, profitability and operational efficiency, but more importantly, better focus on their core businesses. Globe Business Technical Solutions Architect Benjamin Tan said that cloud computing addresses the physical, security of and cost aspects of data storage: “Today’s employees often take their work and company data with them. And Murphy’s Law can take effect when we expect it the most: drives are not infallible and when they breakdown, that’s when it will hurt companies the most. Those events will be things of the past with the cloud. For businesses, it brings about utmost peace of mind and lowered operation costs.”

Globe Business has been the telco pioneer in cloud solutions in the Philippines since 2011. Its initial offering, the Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS) platform, allows customers to spend their IT and telco infrastructure as a service rather than as a capital expenditure, which includes *Backup-as-a-Service*, *Storage-as-a-Service*and *Compute-as-a-Service*. It also introduced the Philippines’ first Dynamic Infrastructure Services (DIS), which simplifies cloud computing by leveraging pre-configured and fully tested components so businesses can build private cloud environments at a lower cost.

Furthermore, users can experience the benefits of platform-as-a-service with DIS due to its development tools. This means that companies now have the capability to develop their own applications for their specific requirements. Access to these tools also provides users another layer of flexibility given that they can create, debug and maintain their own sets of applications in their network.

As a full-service ICT provider, Globe Business understands the needs of enterprises and provides them with a complete range of ICT portfolio of products and services that perfectly match their business requirements such as managed services and machine-to-machine or M2M solutions. The company’s data center and Carrier Ethernet services are ISO- and MEF global standards-certified, respectively.

Globe lays down measures to protect its prepaid subscribers

6:22 PM

Vernon Joseph Go

Innovative policy allows prepaid subs enjoy load validity longer

As a proactive measure to assist its subscribers in closely monitoring their prepaid credits or load, Globe Telecom is actively promoting an efficient tool to help consumers track their load balance and trace their usage.

KD Dizon, Head of Globe Prepaid, said in a recent interview on national television that its prepaid service called “Load Watch” was introduced early this year to notify its prepaid customers through timely reminders and updates on remaining load balance through text.

“Pioneered by Globe, Load Watch provides timely information to our prepaid subscribers so they are duly reminded of their load credits and validity dates, and that they can maximize use of their remaining load,” Dizon said.

She revealed that Load Watch is an initiative of Globe to protect its subs and a preventive measure against perceptions of vanishing load. "We want to ensure that every peso in prepaid credit of our customers are well accounted for and fully utilized as intended whether for calls, texts or mobile surfing on our modernized network," explains Dizon. "With Globe as their provider, our subscribers feel secure and ahead of the curve."

Mario Domingo, Head of IT Transformation Strategy, explains that another way of curbing what prepaid customers perceive as vanishing load is through an innovative solution called "rollover policy" which is exclusively offered by Globe Telecom.

"The rollover policy of Globe ensures unused load credits are carried over to the subscriber’s new prepaid load credit once a reload is done. This effectively makes load validity longer for the unused load credits. The subscriber however will have to top up before the end of load validity to enjoy the rollover of credits," said Domingo.

Globe is the only Philippine telco to set up this kind of policy for the benefit of prepaid subscribers. This protects subscribers who are not able to use up their prepaid load on time, but maintain an active loading activity.

For example, a prepaid subscriber loads P3 valid for 3 days. If the subscriber consumes only P1 within the validity period, current practice would have rendered the remaining P2 as expired. This gives subscribers the perception of vanishing load.

By topping up before the third day of any amount, the Globe rollover policy allows the remaining P2 to be carried over along with the new load credit onto the next validity period. Subscribers therefore efficiently use up their entire load credits, giving them best value for money.

Domingo offers these tips to Globe prepaid customers on how to maximize their load:

1. Top up the day before the existing load ends its validity. This is the best way to avoid unnecessary load termination. As long as you top up for every balance you have, it carries over to the next cycle. Also, the bigger the denomination of the load, the longer the time of its validity.

As a guide to Globe prepaid subscribers, the following is the load validity per denomination: P1 to P10, three days; P11 to P50, 15 days; P51 to P100, 30 days; P101 to P150, 45 days; P151 to P250, 60 days; P251 to P300, 75 days; and P301 or more, 120 days.

2. Be aware of how much load you consume and load only what you can use up. Dizon echoes Domingo’s advice that in this age of “tingi” load, a prepaid subscriber should never have to spend more than what he needs. Globe allows its prepaid subscribers to top up as low as P1 a day to make sure they consume what they pay for.

Still at the end of the day, she said that even with a Load Watch notification, “it is still up to the customer to perform due diligence and choose the appropriate amount to top up.”

3. Read promo offers sent through text thoroughly. Say you availed of a free trial subscription from third-party partners of Globe offering ring back tones or wallpapers. It happened that the next time you receive the same offer, you accepted it, but this time you were being informed that you are now going to be charged for the offer. Subscribers should make sure to read the entire message before accepting or agreeing to any offer. Availing of any offer typically provides great value to our subscribers. Globe continues to provide the most value for money in any offering we extend to our customers.

We as customers just need to read through the messages to ensure we are aware of our commitments.

Globe Business key in client shift to IPv6 technology

6:20 PM

Vernon Joseph Go

Key officials from Globe Business have confirmed that it has enabled more of its clients to adopt Internet Protocol version 6, or IPv6, as its core network now currently supports this new IP addressing scheme. This advancement has enabled its customers to access both IPv6 and IPv4 websites.

“IPv6 is generally considered as the ‘next-generation IP,’ with its 128-bit address space supporting 4 billion times more space online to accommodate growing number of users. With this advancement, the Internet will be able to support more users and devices with wireless or wired access and web services, ultimately benefitting our corporate clients,” says Vincent Atienza, senior product manager for Globe Business Core Internet.

He added that “with this advancement in IPv6 technology, Globe Business ensures business continuity and seamless connectivity to Internet users and its enterprise clientele.”

By providing them best-in-class solutions, the corporate arm of Globe Telecom effectively addresses corporate clients’ interconnectivity with solutions engineered according to their needs, enabling continuous access to information.

It also invested heavily to scale-up its IP infrastructure and better manage the increase in traffic flow. At the very core of its domestic network is its multi-protocol label switch or MPLS infrastructure, which powers more than 600 nodes available nationwide, with an ultra-broad 40-Gbps bandwidth.

Anne Fernando, product marketing manager of Globe Business, says that “being IPv6-ready, we empower our clients to maximize the power of the internet and enhance their network connectivity through multiple unique internet protocol (IP) connections as we have the most efficient IP peer configuration in the industry, strategically connected to the global Internet exchange.”

“We want to ensure seamless information stream throughout our customers’ organizations regardless of location, whether within the Philippines or throughout the world, by providing a reliable and resilient network to them,” she added.

Globe Business has invested in one of the largest, most diverse domestic and international backbone networks connected to four international cable infrastructures: Tyco Global Network-Intra Asia (TGN-IA), East Asia Crossing Cable-to-Cable (EAC C2C), Asia-Pacific Cable Network 2 (APCN2), and soon, the Southeast Asia-Japan Cable (SJC) system, bolstering its international capacity and enhancing resilient connectivity to enterprises, as well as providing them alternative access all over Asia and a more direct route to the US.

As such, it has been instrumental in delivering communications and connectivity solutions to small, medium and business customers in the Philippines and abroad, deploying a secure, flexible and reliable high-speed data network through direct internet services with the most number of routes.

For more information on how to harness IPv6 technology, get in touch with your Globe Business Account Manager, call 632 730 1288 (Manila), e-mail customersupport@globebusiness.com.ph, or visitwww.globe.com.ph/business.

Globe ICT solutions can help SMEs to stay in business and succeed

7:26 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

A study commissioned by Globe Business showed that about 50% of small and medium-scale enterprises (SMEs) run the risk of experiencing financial or operational difficulties and may close-shop within three years. The study cited limited capacity-building in running the various facets of a business as the main reason behind the difficulties encountered by entrepreneurs.

Manny Escosa, Head of Marketing for the Small and Medium Business (SMB) segments of Globe Telecom, said that about half of the country’s small and medium-scale businesses are likely to go bankrupt or close-shop by their third year of operation.

“From those remaining, only one out of 15 will go past year 5. And the reason for such is because SME owners tend to underestimate what it takes to become a successful entrepreneur, ultimately losing everything what they have invested into the business. Most entrepreneurs have the impression that starting is a business is a mere option to working a 9-to-5-job,” Escosa explained.

Approximately 99.6% of all Philippine enterprises are micro, small and medium-scale businesses, of which about half are engaged in retail and wholesale trade. They account for about 61% of the total employment level in the country.

“Around 560,000 entrepreneurs start their business from scratch without any background. However, they underestimate the need for controlling costs, institutionalizing good processes and increasing revenue,” added Escosa, “It all boils down to being able to manage costs, getting an effective process in place and increasing revenues.”

With this daunting scenario facing start-up businesses, Escosa said that Globe SMB proactively reaches out to SMEs to help them “survive” the challenging phase of growth by creating a product portfolio which could actually help businesses address the need to control costs, institutionalize good processes and increase revenue.”

One example of how SMEs can potentially increase revenues is through active promotion of their products and services to push their businesses via text messages. With close to 90 percent of the 94 million Filipinos having cellular phones however, less than 100 SMEs currently resort to text messaging to legitimately push their business.

To generate revenue streams by using the text messaging or SMS service of Globe SMB, they can rely on a mobile solution known as TxtConnect.

“With TxtConnect, you can send SMS to thousands of your customers simultaneously—as many as needed—in one blast. It is definitely an excellent solution for high-volume text campaigns. In Makati for example, the population swells in the daytime. At noon, people are wondering where to eat, and that is an easy market. Lunch places which have promotions do not have to text these people one by one. Imagine the time spent just to text them individually, or the cost saved instead of producing and distributing flyers. And it doesn’t have to look like a scam or a fraud.”

TxtConnect, according to Escosa, is the “ultimate mobile marketing tool for broadcasting SMS.” “It’s a user-friendly, web-based texting service that sends bulk SMS messages to a predetermined target subscriber or recipient base. And with lower rates per SMS, it is significantly more cost-efficient and far better than manually sending text messages or making regular phone calls, or physically distributing flyers, menus and promotional mechanism. It is actually ‘mobile advertising made easy.’ With TxtConnect, you have a facility to reach your target market with just a few keystrokes. And because the service is web-based, you can launch SMS marketing campaigns at any time and from any place. Another plus factor is its ease of use, allowing you to spend less man hours on mobile marketing and more on growing your business. Likewise, TxtConnect messaging rates are lower; you can target more consumers without raising costs.”

Learn more on how TxtConnect and other Globe Business products and services that can help your company increase productivity while reducing costs. Simply consult a Globe Business account manager, visit any Globe store, or call the Globe Business hotline at +632 730-1010. Also log on to http://www.globe.com.ph/business for more details.

Globe cash dividend payments to reach P8.6 billion by 3Q 2012

6:31 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

Total cash dividend payments of leading telecommunications company Globe Telecom will reach P8.6 billion by September this year, representing about 86% of its 2011 core net income.

Globe Telecom’s Board of Directors recently approved the declaration of the second semi-annual cash dividend of P32.50 per common share payable on September 18, 2012 to shareholders on record as of August 28, 2012.

Last March 16, Globe also issued a cash dividend of P32.50, bringing total cash dividend payments this year to P65 per common share.

This year’s payout is also higher by P400 million compared to P8.2 billion dividends in 2011 which was equivalent to 84% of prior year’s net income.

“We at Globe take pride in the company’s consistent performance over the years and in increasing shareholder value. It has always been our aim to provide superior returns to our shareholders and these cash dividends show our commitment to achieving this vision,” said Ernest L. Cu, President and CEO.

Earlier, data from Thomson Reuters StarMine showed that Globe was able to offer the highest dividend yield of 8.3 among 39 stocks in the Philippines.

Under the amended Globe dividend policy, shareholders will receive 75% to 90% of prior year’s core net income instead of reported net income. Core net income excludes all foreign exchange and mark-to-market charges, as well as non-recurring items such as accelerated depreciation charges arising from its IT transformation and network modernization programs. The policy change ensures that dividends and yields remain competitive.

Over the years, Globe continues to provide one of the highest dividend yields in the local market and among telecom companies in the region, thereby, earning it the top spot in the Most Consistent Dividend Policy award of Alpha Southeast Asia and Commitment to a Strong Dividend Policy award of FinanceAsia last June 2012.

Globe completes first phase of Cebu network modernization

8:08 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

Globe Telecom said it has completed the swap-out of its cell sites and other network facilities in Cebu as part of the company’s massive $700-million modernization program across the Philippines.

The cell site cluster swap-out in Cebu ushers in improved coverage, reduced drop call rates as well as better call set-up and quality in the entire province and the Central Visayas region. The area has also been primed for switching-on of 4G HSPA+ (Evolved High-Speed Packet Access) technology and is also ready to upgrade to 4G LTE (Long-Term Evolution) technology.

Close to 7 million Filipinos living in the island and its environs now enjoy superior signal strength, demonstrated by impeccable call connections and clarity, instantaneous text message transmissions and richer web browsing experience, among other services that now redefine their new mobile experience.

Robert Tan, Chief Technical Adviser of Globe Telecom, said that the total change of its network elements in Cebu was rolled-out in seamless precision, maintaining continuous cellular signal in the Cebu area without compromising network integrity and mobile quality performance.

“We consider this a major achievement as our local network engineering team, together with our foreign partners Alcatel-Lucent and Huawei, achieved the Cebu swap-out in record time. The province of Cebu was divided into six network clusters, with teams simultaneously working on changing the cell sites. The total project was completed in 24 hours,” said Tan, “This strengthens our capacity to expediently implement the replacement of the network infrastructure with minimal disruption on our services.”

Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu, for his part, hailed this positive development as a “major win” for Globe subscribers in Cebu, its adjacent provinces and the larger mobile community at the heart of the archipelago.

“Most definitely, our customers in Cebu and nearby provinces will benefit from their new Globe network, giving them unparalleled mobile experience: they can text and call with more ease, plus surf the Web at improved speeds previously unheard of. Unlike other modernization efforts which claim completion, ours in Globe is a more deliberate and authentic change for core migration and facility upgrade, making Cebu and its environs ready for new technologies down the road and experience mobile services at par with that of Manila and other key cities,” Cu said.

The Cebu network change-out comes in the heels of the highly-successful rollout phases this month in Southern Philippines, particularly in the Davao region, Zamboanga provinces and key areas of Mindanao, parts of Northern and Southern Luzon, as well as in the cities of Caloocan, Malabon, Navotas and Valenzuela in the National Capital Region.

Globe gears up for CURE 3G spectrum bidding

7:16 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

Globe network upgrade in full swing, completes 30% of equipment modernization

6:11 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

Globe Telecom said that the upgrade of its network facilities is progressively being conducted as new equipment rolls out in various parts of the country. The company added that within a span of four months since its announcement in January this year, Globe has modernized at least 30% of its network equipment located in various cellsites nationwide.

“We are fast tracking certain areas to address strong consumer demand and clamor for better services. Overall, we are on target with the roll-out plan,” said Robert Tan, Chief Technical Adviser of Globe Telecom, “Our goal is to have seamless change-outs of the network with as minimal impact on customer experience as possible. The improvements in our service quality will be felt by our customers in an increasing number of areas across the country as the network upgrade progresses towards completion.”

To date, Globe customers in South Luzon; the Davao Gulf provinces, including Davao City; and Compostela Valley now enjoy vastly-improved services such as quick call connections, rare dropped calls as well as faster and greater access to UNLI offers. In addition, Davao City and adjacent provinces are now fully equipped with new generation mobile systems supporting high-speed data, which brings speeds up to 5 mbps.

The network modernization of Globe will also significantly enhance its 3G footprint in more towns and municipalities, translating to more stable 3G signal for customers as well improved mobile browsing experience. Globe is rolling-out over 10,000 kilometers of fiber optic cable, which will significantly increase capacity, resiliency and better traffic management to accommodate and protect more voice, SMS, and data traffic.

Tan noted that hand-in-hand with the total network change-out, Globe is also implementing mitigating measures to accommodate current voice, text and data traffic in heavy user areas.

“Even as we roll-out the modernization program for the network, Globe continues to invest in existing infrastructure to better serve our customers. We are, in fact, implementing measures to boost our 3G signal, particularly in high-traffic areas including Makati City,” added Tan.
Globe is also in the thick of a massive, multi-year modernization program that aims to beef-up Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and landline services nationwide. The project costs over $70-Million and forms part of the $700-Million total network modernization investment of Globe. To date, DSL services of Globe, known as Tattoo@Home, have been beefed-up in the National Capital Region. DSL upgrades in Southern Luzon and the Visayas are already underway.

Globe expects that more of its subscribers will be able to experience service improvements by the third quarter of 2012. These improvements include faster call connections, less dropped calls as well as faster sending and receipt of text messages.

Globe Telecom bags Asia Responsible Entrepreneurship Awards 2012

6:01 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

Globe Telecom is the first Philippine telecommunications firm to win in the Social Empowerment Category of the Asia Responsible Entrepreneurship Awards (AREA) 2012 Southeast Asia, attesting to the company’s commitment to transform communities through innovative solutions.

”Sagot Ka ni Kap”, a community vigilance program of Globe Bridging Communities won in the Social Empowerment category besting 25 entries in Southeast Asia. This multi-awarded program harnesses the power and speed of mobile technologies for good governance at the barangay level.

AREA is the region’s most prestigious recognition for organizations that go beyond standard business operations to fulfill their responsibilities to internal and external environment. It honors deserving enterprises for outstanding, innovative products, services, and projects in the field of corporate responsibility. The Social Empowerment Category, on the other hand, focuses on programs for communities or individuals that are socially excluded or that suffer discrimination in work, business, or in community life.

“This award is a testament to the dedication of Globe to social responsibility. For “Sagot Ka ni Kap,” we were able to capitalize on the core business and competencies of Globe to make way for mobile and broadband technologies for ordinary citizens to have a voice in the community resulting in responsive governance and efficient peacekeeping activities in rural areas,” said Rob I. Nazal, head of Globe Corporate Social Responsibility.

He added: “This program hopes to strengthen local security infrastructure and inspire the essential set of capabilities needed for effective leadership and at the same time, develop their capacities as future community leaders.”

“Sagot Ka ni Kap” was launched in 2008 by Globe Bridging Communities, the flagship CSR program of Globe. It enables community members to contribute in keeping the peace and order in the community by equipping community watch volunteers with mobile phones, hand-held radios, rain gears, and first-aid kits as well as providing capacity-building workshops on the Barangay Rule of Law or “Katarungan Pambarangay”, conflict resolution and crisis management. The beneficiaries also receive a one-year personal accident insurance complete with medical reimbursements and unprovoked murder and assault coverage.

To date, there are 385 host communities included in the program. Reporting of complaints on various community disturbances also increased from 1 - 2 per day in 2008 to 15-20 incidents reported through SMS messages in 2011. Likewise, there is also a 34% decrease in negative incidents in “Sagot Ka ni Kap” communities since the start of program implementation.

For the awards, Globe underwent an independent audit to ascertain the validity and reliability of information provided. AREA also put together an independent jury comprised of business leaders, academician and retired senior government and political leaders to evaluate the credibility of all submitted projects. The projects demonstrate the enterprise’s leadership, sincerity and on-going commitment in incorporating ethical values, compliance with legal requirements, respect for individuals, involvement in communities and protection of the environment into the way they do business.

The jury uses a scorecard system which was built with the aim to assess the program’s delivery in achieving innovation, solution orientation, results, sustainability and integration. Ratings given are the average score that is attained by each of the applicants.

Globe takes you to the world of megabytes-based plans

1:48 AM

Vernon Joseph Go

What’s the best mobile browsing plan for you?

So you’re a mobile internet addict. You find solace sitting in a corner surfing the World Wide Web using your trusty smartphone. You respond to an e-mail, download a gaming application, post a status on Facebook, re-tweet a nice quote on Twitter, upload photos and stream videos, search Google, browse movie schedules, or chat with friends. Your phone has become as dynamic as your lifestyle, keeping you connected anytime, anywhere.

But do you know that you can maximize your mobile browsing experience based on your surfing activities and sites you visit by choosing the right MB based plan? Globe Telecom, voted as the most popular service provider for mobile internet services in the Yahoo! Net Index 2011, gives you the power of megabytes (MB) in mobile browsing via Globe PowerSurf, a consumable mobile internet plan that allow you to have full control over your mobile browsing usage so you can surf wherever, whenever, whichever way you choose.

Available to Globe and TM subscribers, PowerSurf MB is best if you’re the type who wants to stay connected all the time with regular feeds from your Facebook or Twitter accounts. It’s also best suited for those who want to keep their apps updated and constantly receive notifications. These updates and feeds usually consume very minimal internet data or KB, which allows you to stay connected over long durations. PowerSurf MB promotes KB-based browsing, which means you can stay connected and only get charged once you send or receive data. And since PowerSurf gives you bulk megabytes (MB) of mobile internet, which is consumable per kilobyte (KB), you can stay connected longer.

Curious about how much KBs or MBs are consumed when you visit your favorite internet sites on mobile? 1 instant messaging/chat is worth 10 KB, 1 Facebook or Twitter post is 20 KB, 1 webpage view is 200 KB, 1 email with Word, Excel or Powerpoint attachment is 300 KB, 1 download/upload of file is 500 KB, 1 minute of video streaming is 3.5 MB, and 1 download of an application/game/song is 4 MB. You do the math and see which Globe mobile internet plan best fits you and your budget.

PowerSurf MB comes in different variants: PowerSurf 15, PowerSurf 30 and PowerSurf 50 are available for prepaid subscribers. PowerSurf 15 has 20MB for P15 valid for 1 day, PowerSurf 30 has 50MB for P30 also valid for 1 day, while PowerSurf 50 has 100MB for P50 valid for 3 days. Prepaid subscribers looking for PowerSurf plans that have longer validity or higher MB allocation can subscribe to the following PowerSurf MB plans which are also available for postpaid subscribers: PowerSurf 99 (50 MB at P99 for 30 days), PowerSurf 299 (300 MB at P299 for 30 days), and PowerSurf 499 (1 GB at P499 for 30 days).

“We understand that mobile browsing users have different needs so we’re excited to let our subscribers know that they are empowered to choose which PowerSurf plan suits them best for a worry-free surfing experience,” said Jenny Echevarria, Head of Globe Mobile Data Services. “So whatever your mobile browsing habits are or sites you go to, you can choose from which PowerSurf MB plan that suits you best so that you cango lang ng go with Globe Mobile Internet, your way.”

To register to any PowerSurf plan, dial *143# and press call for free. If you want to know more about other mobile surfing promos, visit www.globe.com.ph/surf. Want to learn more about PowerSurf? Let psychic icon Madam Auring show you how! Visit www.globe.com.ph/tutorials to laugh and learn with Madam Auring.

Tip! After registering to PowerSurf, download the My Data Manager app to guide you on your data consumption.

Globe Telecom, Inc.’s Proposed Fixed Rate Bonds Rated PRS Aaa

11:02 PM

Vernon Joseph Go

Philippine Rating Services Corporation (PhilRatings) has assigned a PRS Aaa rating to Globe Telecom, Inc’s (Globe) proposed issuance of a principal amount of up to P15.0 billion in fixed-rate bonds, of which Globe is preparing to offer an initial tranche of P10.0 billion. Depending on market conditions and other factors, Globe may issue an additional tranche of debt securities with a principal amount of up to P5 billion. PhilRatings has thus issued its rating to cover both tranches and a total aggregate principal amount of up to P15.0 billion.

“Obligations rated PRS Aaa are of the highest quality with minimal credit risk. The obligor’s capacity to meet its financial commitment on the obligation is extremely strong.”

The rating assigned reflects the following key considerations: strong, though moderated earnings given keener competition; the company’s well-managed capital structure; strong cash flow generation and adequate liquidity position, strong shareholder support; and the proactive stance of management in addressing the need for improved network quality and reliability.

PhilRatings’ ratings are based on available information and projections at the time that the rating review is on-going. PhilRatings shall continuously monitor developments relating to Globe and may change the rating at any time, should circumstances warrant a change.

In 2011, consolidated revenues, excluding non-recurring income, amounted to P72.44 billion, 8.73% higher compared to last year’s level. This was achieved on the back of robust service revenues which reached an unprecedented P67.81 billion, up by 8.40% from last year’s P62.56 billion. Strong take-up for Globe’s customizable postpaid plans and mobile browsing services, and competitive offers catering to prepaid subscribers allowed the company to register a 7% increase in mobile service revenues to P53.95 billion, several times higher than the estimated 1% industry growth. Revenues from the fixed-line and broadband segment, on the other hand, posted a healthy 15% increase to P13.86 billion. Consolidated revenues were further pushed up by the 25.39% hike in non-service revenues which stemmed from the higher sales of handsets and Tattoo Broadband sticks. Net income was generally flat but remained strong at P9.83 billion as the 11.48% increase in total cost and expenses to P58.66 billion tempered revenue growth. Factors which contributed to the higher cost and expenses were higher marketing expenses needed to support aggressive acquisition campaigns, network-related expansion activities, and depreciation and amortization expenses which were pushed up by the accelerated depreciation related to a network change-out.

After dropping by 18.66% to P27.15 billion in 2010, cash flows from operations posted a 10% growth to P29.93 billion in 2011 due to non-cash adjustments and working capital changes. Net of capital expenditures which amounted to P17.4 billion, operating cash flows were still sufficient to service maturing debt. Capital expenditures in 2011 were mostly for the expansion of Globe’s wireless and broadband networks.

Debt to equity ratio improved to 1.01 in 2011 due to the reduction in debt level combined with a slight rise in equity. This was well within the 2.1 debt to equity limit dictated by the company’s debt covenants, providing Globe with enough flexibility in terms of obtaining additional borrowing.

Going forward, the bulk of revenues will continue to come from the mobile segment although the broadband business is expected to likewise contribute significantly in terms of percentage growth. Accelerated depreciation of assets that need to be decommissioned in relation to the network modernization will affect the company’s bottom line in the next two years. As these charges are non-cash items, however, the company’s cash generating ability will remain strong and will provide more than ample coverage of maturing debt. Although the issuance of the proposed bonds (which will be used to finance capital expenditures) will increase the company’s leverage, Globe’s capital structure is seen to remain manageable.

To improve network reliability, meet larger volume demands, as well as increase the quality of service, Globe will be undertaking a mobile network modernization program over the next two to three years. While a significant amount is being allotted for the project, this is expected to enhance customer loyalty as the company will be able to provide improved services. Globe will also be initiating a comprehensive re-engineering of its IT systems over the next two years. With these two projects, the company expects to generate savings in operating expenses amounting to US$180 million and capital expenditures amounting to US$210 million dollars over the next five years, in addition to the potential revenue contributions from such expanded capacity.

Earlier this year, Globe settled its rated P5 billion fixed-rate bonds (P1.974 billion three-year bonds due in 2012 and P3.026 billion five-year bonds due in 2014). Such was financed by a combination of internally generated funds and the issuance of long-term loans.