Meralco, PLDT working together on new technologies

The Manila Electric Co. (Meralco) and the Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) have begun working together on new technologies such as providing broadband services using electric power lines. Meralco president and CEO Manuel Pangilinan, however, explained "That's still under pilot test between PLDT and Meralco." When Pangilinan joined the board of Meralco last year, it was expected that there would be areas of cooperation between the power distribution utility and the telecom firm as he is also the chairman of PLDT. Among the synergies that Meralco and PLDT could work out are the implementation of a prepaid metering scheme for the power distribution sector and a more efficient and more advanced meter reading system. Late last year, PLDT already started the briefing on telecom firm's operations. A joint technical working group was also organized. There would also be some administrative matters that would enhance the efficiencies to PLDT and Meralco. Meralco serves over 6.4 million customers in Metro Manila and its outlying provinces. It is controlled by telecommunications giant, the PLDT Group. Its minority owners are the Lopez Group and San Miguel Corp. –VVP, GMANews.TV