PR: Globe Telecom welcomes PLDT’s divestment of 10Mhz 3G frequency

Globe Telecom lauds Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba, Deputy Commissioners Delilah Deles and Carlo Jose Martinez of the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) in issuing its decision involving the PLDT-Digitel merger.

Globe head of corporate legal services group Atty. Froilan Castelo said, “The approval of the joint application with condition to divest PLDT’s 10Mhz 3G frequency is a progressive step for the NTC in promoting consumer welfare and fair competition. Given the length of time this deal has been discussed by several authorities in the government, the media, and private sector, the decision of the regulatory body upholds its support to the industry, ensuring equal opportunities among players to compete, and allowing consumers to enjoy quality services from their chosen service provider.”

Globe Telecom also notes the proactive approach of the NTC to effect local interconnection between Globe and Innove in provincial areas which benefits subscribers by lowering the cost of landline domestic calls. Globe expects the NTC to come out with a similar pro-consumer position on internet peering to help expand market opportunities in providing internet services in the country.

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PR: Globe is best in broadband.

Globe Telecom was awarded as the country’s Broadband Service Provider of the Year by global research firm Frost & Sullivan for the outstanding performance and exemplary growth of its broadband business in 2010.

Globe has been bullish with its broadband segment, offering customers with innovative, relevant, and affordable services under its Tattoo product lines, Tattoo Nomadic and Tattoo@Home. The award was based on the recipient’s revenue growth, category market share and growth in market share, leadership in product innovation, breadth of products and services, major customer acquisitions, and subscriber base and growth. Receiving the award is Nikko Acosta, Head for Broadband Business of Globe.

PR: Globe, Proudcloud bring Startup Weekend to the Philippines

Globe Telecom takes innovation a notch higher as it brings to the Philippines one of the most successful start-up accelerator programs from the United States.

Globe, in partnership with Philippine-based web engineering firm Proudcloud, will be launching Startup Weekend Manila, a 54-hour event where developers, designers, marketers, technopreneurs, and venture capitalists come together to share ideas, form teams, build products, and launch startup businesses. Proudcloud is a web engineering firm with a relentless passion for innovation. Proudcloud specializes in web architecture and development, user experience design, mobile applications, and web strategy.

Startup Weekends are specifically designed for entrepreneurs interested in receiving feedback for an idea, looking for a co-founder, or who want to learn a new skill, especially in the field of mobile and internet applications. The concept quickly became a global movement to generate breakthrough ideas in communities all over the world, taking digital start-ups businesses from ideas to investment readiness through intensive mentoring from industry experts and access to mobile markets and investors across Asia. Aside from the Philippines, Startup Weekends will also be held in Australia, India, Indonesia, Singapore and Thailand.

Over 100 participants are expected to join Startup Weekend Manila which will be held on October 21-23, 2011 at the Mint College, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City. Participants will have the opportunity to be acquainted with one another, pitch startup concepts they are passionate about, and form teams around the most popular ideas. They then refine the ideas and start building product prototypes with the help of their respective mentors, and then present what they have accomplished in the form of a short pitch and demo.

From the Startup Weekend group in Manila, fifteen (15) teams will be shortlisted to qualify for the 100-day bootcamp to be held in Singapore in January 2012. Teams of developers and entrepreneurs will receive S$15,000 each to help finance and start their businesses. The teams will also get the privilege to pitch to international investors.

“Globe is once again pioneering innovation by bringing the Startup Weekend to the Philippines. This global innovation exercise seeks to showcase the best ideas, talents, and resources for future businesses,” said Minette Navarrete, Head of Globe New Business Group. “We encourage individuals who have the passion for innovation to take this opportunity to be part of a global movement towards ideation and technological excellence.”

Jay Fajardo, CEO of Proudcloud added, “We are pleased to partner with Globe Telecom in hosting the first-ever Startup Weekend in the Philippines. It’s the perfect venue for local tech entrepreneurs to come up from the grass roots and turn their ideas into viable businesses. It’s also a great opportunity to interact with some of the country’s most notable and prominent personalities in the tech startup space.”

Globe and Proudcloud have been tapped by Joyful Frog Digital Incubator (JFDI) and SingTel Innov8, the corporate venture arm of the SingTel Group, to host the program in the country.

Interested participants can register via http://manila.startupweekend.org until October 20, 2011. To know more about Startup Weekend Manila, visit www.manila.startupweekend.org. Startup Weekend Manila is also supported by Dynamic Objx, McDonald’s, Microsoft, and San Miguel Corporation, with Philippine Daily Inquirer as media partner.

GLOBE BUSINESS EXPANDS SUITE OF MACHINE-TO-MACHINE (M2M) SOLUTIONS FOR ENTERPRISES

Globe Telecom, one of the leading telecommunications providers in the Philippines, delivers more innovative ICT solutions for enterprises with the recent expansion of its Machine-to-Machine (M2M) services. Offered through its Globe Business unit, the company, who is the first local telco to bring M2M services in the country, is now providing more M2M solutions that can help customers from various industries to take better control of their businesses.

With M2M, enterprises can more effectively oversee their fixed or moving resources by making their business machines communicate directly with each other. It streamlines the monitoring process, minimizing wastage and reducing operational costs. Further, the service allows them to experience real-time information exchange with minimal human intervention, enabling faster, more informed decision-making.

Globe Business’ suite of M2M solutions includes Fleet Management, Fixed Asset Management, and Security and Surveillance. Its first M2M offering, Fleet Management, has been available since 2008 and is widely-accepted in the Manufacturing, Distribution, Transport, Logistics, Freight and Petroleum industries. It is a simple and easy-to use solution that allows customers to keep track of their moving assets such as delivery vehicles with the use of GPS devices. The solution provides increased protection from theft and pilferage, contributing to a more efficient delivery system and ultimately, to business productivity.

Built on the success and experience with Fleet Management, Globe now offers other purposely-built, end-to-end M2M solutions. Fixed Asset Management is an M2M service that allows companies monitor the real-time status of their equipment’s volume and temperature threshold levels. This minimizes wastage of temperature-sensitive goods and helps save costs with the proper predictive maintenance of business resources.

Globe’s Security and Surveillance solution, on the other hand, utilizes motion and door sensors as well as panic buttons to further enhance the security of a company’s premises. Intruders or unauthorized personnel can be easily detected and response time to alarms can be made even faster.

As a managed service, Globe’s M2M clients are also guaranteed to receive proactive assistance on a 24X7 basis via a team that will monitor the status of all of the customer’s M2M components or devices. Clients will be provided reports via email, whether periodic or on-demand, and will also be given security assistance by conducting proper escalation of incidents to respective agencies.

According to Globe Business Head Jesus C. Romero, “We are proud to be able to offer this breakthrough to our customers here in the Philippines. Globe’s established ICT infrastructure will make it possible for enterprises to take advantage of everything that M2M technology has to offer.”

Francisco J. Claravall, who oversees Business Products and Services at Globe, added that a number of M2M application classes are currently in the works. “We will continue to expand our suite of M2M solutions in order to cater to the evolving needs of enterprises. Our goal with these innovative offerings is to make business processes faster, easier, safer and more profitable for our customers.”

Globe is a leading full-service telecommunications company in the Philippines, serving the needs of consumers and businesses across an entire suite of products and services which include mobile, fixed, broadband, data connections, internet, and managed services. Its principals are Ayala Corporation and Singapore Telecom; both acknowledged industry leaders in the country and across the region.
For more information, visit http://www.globe.com.ph/.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Yoly Crisanto
Head, Corporate Communications
Globe Telecom, Inc.
Tel. no. +632 730 2627
Fax no. +632 739 3075
Email: globe.corpcomm@gmail.com

Globe Telecom’s official statement on the Tonino Lamborghini 4G stick negative news reports

Quoted below is Globe Telecom’s official statement regarding the spread of online news reports about Globe’s newest Tattoo Tonino Lamborghini 4G Broadband Stick being ‘a counterfeit product’ of the Lamorghini Brand:

Globe Telecom obtained authorization to use the name and logo Tonino Lamborghini through an agreement with Primo Mobile, the master franchisor of mobile phone related products for the Italian brand Tonino Lamborghini. Primo Mobile is a Singapore-based company that has a master license agreement with Tonino Lamborghini s.r.l. and is duly authorized to sub-license the use of the Lamborghini logo. The design of the Globe Tattoo Tonino Lamborghini 4G broadband sticks was reviewed and approved by Primo Mobile.

Globe Telecom assures the public of its strong adherence and commitment to the highest ethical standards in business and good corporate governance. The company will not engage in any activity that will mislead the public in the course of doing business and serving its customers.

You’re on with Globe: Taking mobile internet to the next level

These days, what are you more likely to leave behind: your wallet or your mobile phone? Better yet, can you remember what life was like before mobile phones?

With technology moving at supersonic speed, the mobile phone has definitely evolved to fill many needs. And these changes have not just made life easier, but also more interesting and exciting. Gone are the days when your mobile phone is only capable of sending text messages, making calls, or composing ring tones.

Fast forward to the 21st century: Your mobile phone continues to take leaps and bounds, providing you more innovative features and services you never thought could be possible. Enter mobile browsing, or internet on your mobile phone, which harnesses two technologies we Pinoys love: our mobile phones and the Internet. It also opens up an entire world of connectivity to us.

Take email, which is now an important part of our lives. We need to keep our correspondence up to date. Accessing email through your mobile can be done anytime, anywhere—and that means staying connected, always.

Who doesn’t want to know the latest? News. Movie schedules. The traffic situation. Latest UAAP game schedules. Most downloaded songs. Mobile surfing on the web lets us find out what we need when we need it without having to search for a Wi-Fi connection or a PC just to be kept in the loop.

Speaking of websites, you’ve probably got a Facebook, Twitter, or Multiply account and can’t probably stand it when you don’t get to log in for a day. Mobile browsing allows us to let our family and friends online know what we’re thinking, doing, watching, and liking—by the minute, wherever we are.

All these now made possible without the need to be home or to be at the nearest internet café to get Internet-connected. All you need is your trusty cellphone and a mobile data plan from Globe, and voila, you’re on!

Enjoy the most affordable mobile internet plan from Globe with Globe PowerSurf15! Send a quick e-mail or two, post a status update, upload a photo of that yummy dessert you just ate, re-tweet the newest MMDA traffic advisory to spread the news, Google-up a word you just encountered, or check if you can make it to the last screening of your fave flick. The benefits are endless. Boring yourself to death while on traffic or in a long queue may just be a thing of the past as you find joy in tinkering with your mobile phone while you’re on-line!

Globe PowerSurf15 is available for only P15 per hour or P0.25 per minute, consumable for an entire day’s use. With this uber cool and affordable offer, you don’t have to rush to the office or to the nearest ‘Net café just to send an important e-mail. You can skip the traffic because you know which roads are full. All you need is your mobile phone and Globe PowerSurf to be in-the-know while you’re on-the-go!

You can even catch the latest UAAP games live on your mobile phone* without falling in line to get tickets. You don’t need to be at the court along with screaming and sweaty fans just to see your favorite collegiate cager and show some school pride. Key in http://m.globe.com.ph/uaap on your phone browser to watch the games live on your cellphone. You can also text UAAP and send to 2910 to view live streaming of the games on your phone.

Turn it on and go Globe PowerSurf now! Text POWERSURF15 to 8888 to register. Other variants are Globe PowerSurf30 available for P 30 for 3 hours valid for 1 day and Globe PowerSurf50 available for P 50 for 5 hours of consumable internet surfing valid for 3 days: Text POWERSURF30 or POWERSURF50 to 8888.

*Globe Telecom is one of the clients of Cebu- based events management agency, PR Works Inc.

Globe proposes 3-year plan to reduce interconnection rates

In support of the National Telecommunications Commission’s (NTC) request for telecommunication companies to lower interconnection charges, Globe Telecom submitted a position paper detailing its proposal on reducing fees for subscribers calling and sending texts outside their respective networks.

In the position paper, Globe proposed a 3-year “glide path” implementation method beginning January 31, 2012 to allow mobile operators more time to restructure business plans and models given changes in pricing schemes, as well as to help cushion possible losses in revenues.

The NTC pushes interconnection charges for voice calls be lowered to P1 per minute from P4 within the next three years. For text messages, NTC requests charges be reduced to P0.15 from the current P0.35 per text. According to studies, the Philippines has one of the highest voice termination rates in the Asia Pacific region, averaging at $0.10, with most countries only in the $0.03-0.05 range.

Under the proposal submitted by Globe, charging for interconnection charges for voice calls is at P2.50 on the first year, P2.00 on the second year, and P1.50 on the third year. For SMS, charging is P0.25 on the first year, P0.20 on the second year and P0.15 on the third year, which is congruent with the NTC’s proposal. For landline, charging is P2.00 on the first year, P1.50 on the second year and P1.00 on the third year.

“Globe is in full support of NTC’s call to lower domestic interconnect rates among telcos. In fact, Globe also supports mobile to landline interconnection and vice versa, where interconnection fees should also be reduced. This way, subscribers will experience lower service charges,” said Atty. Froilan Castelo, Head for Corporate and Legal Services Group of Globe. “So as to give ample time for Globe to adjust its tariffs and billing system, Globe requests the NTC to implement these new charges by January 2012.”

To date, Globe is the only mobile operator that has submitted a proposal to show cooperation to the NTC. Last April, Globe completed full interconnection with Bayan Telecommunications (BayanTel) and Digitel Telecommunications Philippines (Digitel) in all areas of common presence and operations nationwide, benefitting subscribers who need not pay long distance rates to call another subscriber from a different network.

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FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Yoly Crisanto
Head, Corporate Communications
Globe Telecom
Tel. No. 730 2627
Fax no. 739 3075
E-mail: globe.corpcomm@gmail.com

Mobile teaching program “Text2Teach” to expand in Visayas and Mindanao

Innovative mobile teaching program Text2Teach is set to go nationwide as it targets 850 new public elementary schools in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao for English, Math, and Science lessons beginning this year.

The plan was announced during the signing of the Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) for Phase 4 of the program. Signatories are Department of Education Undersecretary Yolanda Quijano, Ayala Foundation Co-Vice Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, Nokia Director for Community Involvement Gregory Elphinston, and Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu.

The fourth phase, to be implemented starting July, will finally make the program available not only in Luzon but across the country as the proponents work to bring Text2Teach to Visayas and Mindanao and to upgrade the 205 satellite schools from the earlier phases. By the end of Phase 3 in August, the total number of Text2Teach-enabled schools will have reached 555, benefiting about 40,000 pupils, and almost 1,800 school heads, teachers and DepEd officials.

Text2Teach Phase 4 also marks the beginning of a stronger partnership with the local government units. DepEd regional offices will play a vital role in teachers training while LGUs will provide bigger counterpart funding for the program. Phase 4 also sees Pearson Foundation returning to the program as a key component in developing new downloadable educational materials for English, Science and Mathematics.

Since its Philippine launch in 2004, Text2Teach has been aiding in improving the performance of students all over the country, particularly in the three basic subjects through downloadable educational videos using Nokia mobile phones and Globe internet connection.

Using the power of mobile technology, Grades 5 and 6 students can watch any of the almost 400 educational audio and video materials loaded in the Nokia N86 8MP phones and equipped with the Nokia Education Delivery (NED) application. NED allows teachers to download and easily access educational audios and videos on Math, Science and English specifically designed for the project, providing a highly effective visual aid for teachers. It also creates an interactive, student-focused learning environment in the classroom which makes the students eager to go to school.

Aside from the Nokia N86 8MP phone and educational videos, Text2Teach recipient schools also get a Globe SIM card provided with P150 worth of free pre-paid load monthly for one year, a 29-inch colored TV, 3-day teacher training and teachers guides.

Alma Abalos Fernandez, a teacher at Carael Elementary School in Dagupan City, pointed out that the effectiveness of the program is evident in helping students appreciate a complex subject like science.

“Before we had Text2Teach, I had to rely on my imagination. I gave a lot of examples and used a lot of visual aids to make sure they understand the subject. But with Text2Teach, there is a better appreciation of what is being discussed. You can also see that the students learn faster. Just show them the video and you capture their attention. The students also retain the lessons better because they can see actual images on the video. And we don’t have to spend much on visual aids anymore,” Fernandez related in the vernacular.

Aside from improved performance, Text2Teach also helps minimize student absenteeism since they are now excited to go to class and watch the videos.

PHOTO CAPTION: Signing the Memorandum of Agreement for Phase 4 of the Text2Teach program are (from L-R): Nokia Corporation Directorfor Community Involvement Gregory Ephinston, Ayala Foundation Co-Vice Chairman Jaime Augusto Zobel de Ayala, DepEd Undersecretary Yolanda Quijano, and Globe President and CEO Ernest Cu.

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For more information, pls. contact:

Ms. Yoly C. Crisanto
Head, Corporate Communications
Globe Telecom
Tel. No. 7302627
Fax No. 7393075
Email address: globe.corpcomm@gmail.com

Philippines celebrates World Social Media Day with launch of first Tatt Awards

Philippines celebrates World Social Media Day with launch of first Tatt Awards

There’s no stopping the increasing pervasiveness of social media in the Philippines. With over 25-Million internet users—and counting, one study even shows that 95% of online Pinoys actively tweet, Facebook, plurk and blog, giving more credence to the Philippines being called the Social Networking capital of the world.

Hence, the first Tatt Awards was launched to give due recognition to the growing power and influence of this medium and to people who have used the digital space to inspire, spur change and make a difference.

Powered by Globe Tattoo, the Tatt Awards were launched at the posh Opus Club in Resorts World Manila to coincide with the 2nd annual Social Media Day.

“Tattoo is about making your mark and your own personal definition of greatness. The Tatt Awards is our venue to recognize those individuals that through their passion and individuality have created a space that is truly theirs, but sincerely shared with others,” said Dong Ronquillo, Head of Nomadic Broadband Business of Globe Telecom.

The Tatt Awards has ten categories: The One, the most influential trendsetter that shaped opinion, moved people and prompted action; Ballbreaker, a blogger or a Twitter user who started a debate, sparked conversations or a revolution of opinions with just one hard-hitting post; Stylisimo, a person that not only reviewed fashion but also set a trend one that everyone followed; Indie Rocker, a musical band or indie artist who fought hard to claim their space in the hearts of the Filipino audience via webtime; Wordslayer, a blogger whose mastery of words showed wit, humor and grit to the Philippine blogosphere; Artiste, an inspiring person whose fiery passion for creating visual art through original graphic design, animation or photography has caught fire in the Philippine online art scene; Tech Junkie, a blogger, podcaster or Twitter user who shares access to the latest in trends and the fast pace world of e-knowledge; #Thought-Mover, a Twitter user who sparked a fire in the Philippine Twittersphere with one unique hashtag; Video Slinger, an individual or group who shook the Pinoy web space with though-provoking or entertaining video; and The Advocate, a person or a group of individuals who worked to improve the state of a societal cause in the Philippines through social media. Winners will receive a whopping P100,000 in cash and premium broadband products from Tattoo.

Winners are decided by public voting and a panel of judges christened The Tatt Council. Members of The Tatt Council include Dong Ronquillo; award-winning journalist Maria Ressa; Rock Ed Philippines founder Gang Badoy; popular lifestyle blogger and entrepreneur Cecile Zamora-Van Straten; tech blogger and Tattoo ambassador Rico Mossesgeld; director and video blogger Kring Elenzano; Radio DJ Chico Garcia and Hans Roxas-Chua, President of the Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines (IMMAP).

Online nominations will run until July 14, 2011 via the Tattoo portal www.tattoo.globe.com.ph/tattawards. Finalists will be announced on August 10, at which point the online voting will begin and run until August 24. The Tatt Awards Night will be on August 27.

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Yoly C. Crisanto
Head, Corporate Communications
Globe Telecom
Tel. No. 730 2627
Fax no. 739 3075
E-mail: globe.corpcomm@gmail.com