Thursday, June 9, 2011

MANILA — Globe Telecom warned the government of spectrum applicants, speculators and consortia driven by “financial players” who eventually sell out for business gain.
Additional spectrum allocation rationally distributed to market competitors will benefit the consumers, so the government should ensure there is no imbalance in this resource and it is used efficiently to bring more, better and inexpensive communication services to the public, said Globe in a statement.
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It added that the PLDT-Digitel deal gives PLDT and its group virtual monopoly and control of the radio frequencies, which, compared to the highways, are the modes and means of transmitting voice, data and text messages.
At the recent hearings at the Senate committee on public services, data given by National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba clearly stated that PLDT Digitel has majority 51 percent share of 3G and CMTS (cellular mobile telecommunications systems) frequencies, while Globe has a mere 23 percent share to service over 27 million subscribers.
NTC Commissioner Cordoba admitted that the State only has six percent (10Mhz) 3G frequency left for allocation, which is currently under litigation.
With this, Globe urged the government to protect and maintain free competition in the market by ensuring a level playing field that will allow consumers to choose the best services and give telco providers equal opportunities to compete.
Globe pointed out that the merger will result in an imbalance in market share and scarce frequency resources that will affect free competition and services to millions of subscribers, among others.
It also explained that the assignment of radio frequencies directly relate to the ability of service providers to efficiently use this scarce resource through capital and infrastructure investments.
Bayan Muna Representative Teddy Casiño, in his privilege speech Monday, explicitly pointed to PLDT-Digitel’s overwhelming 71 percent market share, a telco behemoth that will monopolize the market.
“This abhorrence of monopolies is enshrined in the Constitution. Section 19, Article XII of the 1987 Constitution states: ‘The State shall regulate or prohibit monopolies when the public interest so requires. No combinations in restraint of trade or unfair competition shall be allowed,” said Casiño.
The congressman added, “A deal that would reverse the policy of demonopolization (in reference to Republic Act 7925) in the telecommunications industry was certainly not contemplated by previous Congresses and should not be tolerated by the 15th Congress.”
At Wednesday’s Senate hearing, Casiño reiterated, “This is the spirit of RA 7925 to slay the monster of PLDT’s stranglehold in the industry in the past. We should not bring back the monster we wanted slain in the first place.”
In the same Senate hearing, Globe chief legal counsel, Rodolfo Salalima warned that if the government allows the PLDT-Digitel deal to go through without correcting its frequency allocation, this deal violates the NTC Memorandum Circular 07-08-2005 (Rules and Regulations on the Allocation and Assignment of 3G Radio Frequency Bands).
The memorandum circular states that “entities with more than 50 percent of common stocks owned by the same person or group of persons shall be considered as associated applicants, at the time of application, and such entities shall be allowed to elect one of them to proceed in the filing of application for 3G services and 3G radio spectrum before the Commission.”
The consolidation of PLDT and Digitel will result in a lopsided imbalance of spectrum allocation in their favor, Globe said.
Globe serves 27.3 million subscribers with only 99 MHz, while Smart and Sun will effectively serve 60 million subscribers with 372 MHz. This means Globe is serving 276,000 subscribers for every 1 MHz of spectrum it has, while Smart and Sun will only address 161,000 subscribers for their every 1 MHz of spectrum.
Particularly in 3G cellular service, the ratio of PLDT to Globe’s allocation is 4.5:1, a clear disservice to millions of Globe subscribers at present.
“If PLDT-Digitel is saying they need all the frequency they have with only 60 million subscribers, Globe subscribers are also entitled to a fair share of the State’s frequencies which they should enjoy through better products using more advanced technology. Globe has only 10 MHz to serve 27 to 30 million subscribers, then PLDT should only have 23 MHz for its 60 million subscribers. PLDT should divest of its unused 22 MHz frequency they currently have,” said Salalima.
Globe intends to continue investing aggressively in the infrastructure needed to provide superior service to the public, addressing its growing needs for access, bandwidth and connectivity. These services support knowledge-empowerment, education, micro-finance and the country’s booming business process outsourcing industry, among others, and will benefit public interest.
Having pioneered digital mobile technology and text messaging in the Philippines, Globe also recently introduced 4G mobile technology to Filipino consumers, in response to the increasing need for mobile data.
Its track record on innovation, industry development and socio-economic contribution, demonstrates how Globe efficiently utilizes its spectrum as it strives to serve the public well.
Given additional 3G frequencies, Globe can provide more mobile services to more customers at better value and quality at par with global standards. (PR)

Source: http://www.sunstar.com.ph/manila/business/2011/06/09/globe-urges-government-level-telco-playing-field-160125

Comparison of crime rates between Philippines Angeles City and Clark Freeport Zone sheds light on the difference between the twin cities of Pampanga. Regular guests of Angeles City Hotels begin to migrate on base into hotels inside Clark Philippines not only for peace and quiet but peace of mind and a sense of safety and security.

It is important to many families to feel safe in a hotel in Angeles Pampanga. That is one of the main reasons that many tourists and local visitors from Manila choose to stay in a hotel in Clark Freeport Zone just outside Manila Philippines. Many tourists traveling with families and children do not like the hotels in Subic or some of the hotel in Angeles Pampanga. The resorts in Philippines Angeles City do not make guests feel comfortable and secure.

The beach resorts, leisure parks and vacation hotels in Clark Pampanga offer a unique ambience that supports a laidback relaxing lifestyle. Many visitors travel north to Clark Pampanga from Manila to unwind and relax in these resorts.

New developments from Clark Philippines that may be pertinent to businesses and investments in Pampanga Clark Freeport Zone are posted on HotelClarkPhilippines web site. Clark Philippines is a fast growth economic and business city comparable to Manila Philippines.

Retirement in Philippines is an interesting investment opportunity for foreign companies. Many investors are looking for a destination near Manila that offers safety and quietness to develop residential and retirement projects and Clark Pampanga seems to be an attractive business proposition. Investment opportunities in Clark Philippines include hotel and resorts, retirement village, vacation rentals, condominiums and other residential projects, and other leisure, tourism and hospitality businesses. Land in the main zone of Clark Freeport is not easy to find and is not as cheap as before but Clark is still much more attractive compared to other investment destinations in Philippines.

For information as well as assistance with reservations in hotels and resorts in Pampanga, Clark Philippines, click here to contact HotelClarkPhilippines now

Or call us at

Hotel Clark Philippines
Creekside Road corner of Centennial Road,
Central Business District, Clark Freeport Zone,
Pampanga, Philippines 2023

Tel: (045)599-5949 0917-520-4403 0922-870-5177

Manila Sales Office
3003C East Tower, Phil Stock Exchange Center,
Exchange Rd Ortigas Metro Manila, Philippines 1605
(632) 637-5019 0917-520-4393 Rea or Chay

http://www.HotelClarkPhilippines.com

Email: Info@ClarkPhilippines.com

Getting to this hotel in Clark Philippines
After entering Clark Freeport from Subic, Manila, Dau and Angeles City, proceed straight along Clark’s main highway MA Roxas, passing Clark’s largest wine shop called Clark Wine Center on your right, continue to bear right making no turns at all, go past Mimosa Leisure Estate on the opposite side of the road, you will hit a major intersection. Go straight and the road becomes Creekside Road. YATS Clearwater Resort and Country Club is on your right just 200m down. Traffic in Clark Philippines is light so it should be quite easy for get to this hotel in Clark Philippines.

YATS Leisure Philippines is a HK-based developer and operator of clubs, resorts and high-class restaurants and wine outlets http://www.YatsLeisure.com

To inquire with the beach resort hotel in Clark Pampanga visit http://www.ClearwaterPhililippines.com