"700 MHz" is the buzzword for the past two weeks after San Miguel Corporation sold its telecommunication assets to Globe Telecom, Inc. and PLDT, Inc., with the Philippine government having a part of its resources. This news went on as the latter two companies makes full use of the spectrum by building and opening cell sites that operates under the said bandwidth.

"700 MHz" refers to the bandwidth spectrum that has better coverage inside and outside buildings, making it a great cellular resource that the two telcos are clamoring for. This spectrum is mostly used for the 4th Generation (4G) and Long-term Evolution (LTE) services.

The good news don't stop at 700 MHz, as the two telcos have agreed to share their internet protocols (IP) to each other (IP Peering), and we will experience less latency (we refer to this as "lag") and thus making internet connections faster.

Prior to the surprising announcements, PLDT has inked a deal with the Philippine Open Internet Exchange (PHOpenIX) to connect the telco's fiber optics lines to the internet exchange last year.

We are reminded once again why we need a better telecommunication infrastructure, especially for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). We need better telco infrastructure to improve the delivery of products and services and to connect more people and businesses to other businesses. This should be a fact, now that we have been labeled as the second-lowest in Asia when it comes to download speed, not to mention one of the costliest in the region.

We are glad that we are seeing a positive outlook for our country's telco infrastructure amid doubts and uncertainty that the two telcos are closing in on making a duopoly, and we are certainly looking forward to the telcos' continuing efforts to provide the resources that people - and MSMEs for this matter - deserve.

If the quality of telco service improves, then it will definitely improve the ease of doing business in the country, thus giving us the chance of a stronger economy. Let's keep watching the happenings in the telco industry to ensure that we are off in the right track.

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There are lots of ideas and concepts on doing business in the Philippines at the 7th Philippine Business & Entrepreneurs' Expo this August 26 to 28 at the SM Megatrade Hall in Mandaluyong City. You can talk with fellow entrepreneurs, or just observe and gain knowledge to polish your business and expand it further.


This event is organized by business event organizer Ex-Link Management & Marketing Services Corporation. For inquiries and partnerships, call telephone numbers 633-01-53, 643-3887 or email info@exlinkevents.com. Ex-Link Events is also on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.