PLDT, Intel promise better mobile experience

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) and Intel Philippines said their newly-forged partnership aims to deliver a computing experience geared at satisfying the ever-changing mobile lifestyles in the country. The two companies earlier announced the merger with the launch of the new Intel Ultrabook, and WiFi Zone by PLDT. The partnership will combine Intel’s processor technology and computing innovation with PLDT’s expertise in broadband technology. Executives of Intel and PLDT said social media usage and content consumption has become an indispensible part of everyday life and the collaboration between their companies will expand opportunity for continued innovation in such areas by working towards increased computing performance and seamless wireless connections. Ricky Banaag, country manager of Intel Philippines, said Internet growth is driven largely by content, now done mostly by consumers who exchange photos, videos and tweets wherever they are. "In this day and age, there is a noticeable increase in the demand for internet access anytime, anywhere. People are now able to access the internet simultaneously across multiple devices, empowering them not just to download data, but to upload and share content as well," Banaag said. "Intel’s partnership with PLDT addresses a new era of computing experience that is underway, and ensures that the consumer’s expectations for a secure, mobile and powerful device are met through the Ultrabook." The Ultrabook is among the emerging new breed of computers. Among its features are the combinination of best-in-class performance, improved responsiveness and battery life. Intel’s vision for the Ultrabook entails a multi-year, industry-wide endeavor that will roll out in phases where new experiences and features will be added and volume of Ultrabook devices is expected to increase as system prices decrease over time. With its so-called "A New Breed of Wow" campaign, Intel aims to set the Ultrabook apart from mainstream computing devices. Meanwhile, as an answer to the rising demand for a more reliable, high-speed internet connectivity, PLDT is offering its premium WiFi service, the PLDT WiFi Zones, which uses a dedicated line for WiFi internet connection. Dan Ibarra, head of PLDT Retail Business Group, said that through the WiFi Zones, PLDT offers subscribers premium myDSL internet experience outside their homes. Ibarra said PLDT has currently established a base of over 2,500 WiFi Zones up and running all over the Metro, adding that similar launches were also conducted recently in the cities of Cebu and Baguio.