Smart strengthens lead in wireless broadband with new acquisition

MANILA, Philippines - Smart Communications, Inc. is reinforcing its wireless broadband business with the acquisition of a 40 percent stake in Primeworld Digital Systems, Inc. (PDSI). In a disclosure, its parent company Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. said Smart is mulling to fully own PDSI within the year subject to various regulatory and other approvals. “The acquisition is intended to strengthen Smart’s leading position in the wireless broadband business," PLDT said. However, it did not say the acquisition cost. One of the country’s pioneering Internet service providers, PDSI was granted a legislative franchise in 2001 to provide telecommunications services throughout the Philippines and between the Philippines and other countries and territories. These include mobile, cellular, wired or wireless telecommunications systems and value added services. It can be recalled Smart Chief Wireless Adviser Orlando B. Vea earlier said Smart continues to explore all means in making Internet access as affordable and accessible as possible. Wireless broadband subscriber base using SmartBro grew by almost three-fourths to reach 596,000 with 30 percent or 183,000 on SmartBro’s prepaid service. Wireless broadband revenues increased by 40% to P1.3 billion from P 919 million recorded in the first quarter of 2008. PDSI has a provisional authority to build and operate an information and data communications network issued by the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC). Since its establishment in 1196, PDSI has evolved into a telecommunications company specializing in IP communications services such as premium Internet connectivity, data center services, virtual private network, voice over Internet protocol and managed security. With a client base of government and educational institutions aside from medium to large corporations, PDSI also owns and operates its own wireless local loop network. -Ruby Anne M. Rubio, GMANews.TV