PLDT WeRoam

Look Ma, No Wires!
By Janine N. Yu

"Wherever, whenever," promises PLDT.
PLDT WeRoam, the first wireless broadband service that covers the entire Philippines, allows one to get connected either to the Internet or a company's local area network (LAN) from anywhere in the country. WeRoam enables today's mobile worker to make any place -including Sagada or Siargao-his office.

This innovative wireless broadband service is backed by the Philippines' largest telecommunication infrastructure, including Smart Communication's expansive wireless coverage. Smart alone is said to cover up to 99% of the country with its signal. "With the combined network of Smart and PLDT," says Nerissa Ramos, First Vice President of PLDT's Corporate Business Solutions, "we have fiber-opticed the whole archipelago."

PLDT WeRoam offers two types of services: WeRoam Mobile and WeRoam Direct. WeRoam Mobile is more suited to the roaming office worker or executive who needs to get connected either to the office or the Internet while on the road. It uses the GPRS and EDGE access technology of SMART, and it's made completely accessible with a PLDT WeRoam aircard that allows a connection speed up to 170 kbps. WeRoam Direct, on the other hand, offers connectivity to more remote areas out of PLDT's terrestrial reach. It operates on point-to-point wireless connectivity using WiFi technology, with speed connectivity up to 1,024 kbps.

"This is a market offering that's truly convergent," avers Ernesto Alberto, Senior Vice President and Head of PLDT's Corporate Business Group. "It's increasing productivity and efficiency while at the same time not disrupting your quality of life."

PLDT developed WeRoam as a response to the growing need of mobile workers to have a wireless broadband service that is neither short-range nor limiting. "With just a LAN connection," explains Ramos, "you stop enjoying the wireless experience once you're outside the building. With WeRoam, you can enjoy that wireless experience anywhere you are."

Alberto elaborates on this need by pointing out that there are currently half a million laptops in the market, 75% of which are in corporate application. The market rationale, he explains, is that if an individual invests anywhere between P75,000 to P150,000 in a laptop, he invests in it for productivity reasons. Combining the factors of portability and ubiquitous connectivity service, PLDT WeRoam aims to expand the 'anytime, anywhere' positive features of a laptop.

Alberto envisions WeRoam to create changes in the way people do business. For one thing, it will surely improve the velocity of doing business or creating revenues. "Once businesses are going to realize that they have mobile or road warriors," he says, "they'll realize that keeping people in the office isn't going to generate as much revenue as sending them out into the marketplace, and they can do this without sacrificing their worker's connectivity to the office. WeRoam enables you to get real time responses to corporate needs."

"It's also eventually going to result in space rental savings," adds Ramos -surely a boon to office space rental concerns.

Innovative, convergent, and a practical solution to a common need, PLDT WeRoam is a proud addition to the telecom giant's extensive list of services and technology. Alberto sums it up by saying "it's freedom from the wires that tie you down."

At the PLDT WeRoam launch: (from left): Anton Subuwo, Director-Brantwood, Int'l Ltd.; Boy Martirez, Head-Smart Personal Communications and Mobile Services; Senator Mar Roxas; PLDT Chairman Manny Pangilinan; and Eric Alberto, PLDT SVP and Head-Corporate Business Group.