‘Fiber break’ disrupts PLDT service in 3 cities

THE SEEMING invinsibility of the Pangilinan-led telecommunications firm Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) was tested Wednesday as the firm encountered "network congestion" in key cities in Metro Manila. At around 9 a.m., the fixed and mobile services of the country’s largest telecommunications company were disrupted, causing delays and difficulties in data and voice transactions. The company issued an advisory to corporate clients saying that the breakdown was due to "a major fiber break." "PLDT CoreNET is currently undertaking some measures to reroute traffic but no timeline was given," the advisory, sent by PLDT Corporate Business Group Manager Virginia W. Setias, stated. It added that service was disrupted in three major cities: Ortigas in Pasig City, Quezon City, and Makati City. All three cities have business districts and host call center companies. PLDT Sales Manager for Corporate Business Antonio L. Coronel said that the breakdown, which affected landline and mobile phone subscribers, could not have been prevented. "Hindi maiiwasan ang mga ganon, (things like that cannot be avoided)," Mr. Coronel told BusinessWorld in a phone interview. PLDT’s mobile phone unit, Smart Communications, Inc., is the biggest mobile phone company in the country, with over 20 million subscribers. But while the advisory put the blame on a fiber break, Mr. Coronel said that the service interruption was caused by the "wear-and-tear" of PLDT’s transport equipment. "Ganyan ang nangyayari kapag kailangan nang palitan (That is what happens when we need to replace it). It’s nothing unusual," Mr. Coronel added. He also said that PLDT had managed to resume service in the affected areas at around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. PLDT Spokesman Ramon I. Isberto, however, said that the service interruption lasted for only one hour. PLDT officials could not say how many customers were affected, how much PLDT and its subscribers incurred in losses, and how much it would cost to repair the fiber break. Analysts said that the breakdown could have been prevented by PLDT. "PLDT’s capex [capital expenditure] should be directed to the upgrades of their facilities," First Metro Securities Brokerage Corp. Analysts Jan Michael B. Acebo said. He said PLDT could have lost millions, but added he did not see a significant impact on the telecommunications company’s financials. "[But] bad service could pose a threat to market share," he added. Mediaquest Holdings, Inc., owned by the Beneficial Trust Fund of PLDT, has a minority stake in BusinessWorld. — JGUR with MGSR, BusinessWorld