Xstrata Sagittarius deploys Radwin wireless broadband systems

Radwin, the global provider of Backhaul and Broadband Wireless solutions, has said that the Xstrata Sagittarius Mining Company in the Philippines deployed the RADWIN 2000 point to point systems to connect its offices and provide voice and data backhaul between the offices and tower relay sites. Radwin’s systems are also used for video surveillance, providing video transmission from the tower sites back to company headquarters for enhanced security monitoring. Diagnostic Orthogon Systems, a leading system integrator in the Philippines, was responsible for project design and implementation. Jake Laguerder, Head of IT at Xstrata Mining: “We chose RADWIN’s solutions because they deliver TDM and Ethernet in one system. The solutions empower us to establish our own backbone network instead of leasing lines from telcos, thus significantly reducing our costs. RADWIN’s solutions also deliver real-time video so we can monitor the activity in each tower site 24/7. Using RADWIN, we have complete control of our network and can easily and quickly deploy new sites.” Rene Lebrun, CEO of Diagnotic-Orthogon Systems: “Radwin’s links provide exceptional carrier-grade performance that places them a cut above other solutions that Xstrata tested. They operate over extremely long ranges, with some links connecting offices as far as 50 km/31 miles apart. The links operate in tough weather conditions typical to the area such as fluctuating temperatures, heavy rainfall and strong winds and they can also be powered by solar panels which is critical in jungle areas.” “We are proud to include the Xstrata Mining Company among our customer base,” said Moty Niv, Radwin’s Sales Director, South East Asia. “This latest win is testament to the effectiveness of our solutions and the exceptional performance and business value they deliver to customers. In choosing RADWIN, Xstrata was able to cut costs and eliminate expensive leased lines charges while enjoying a solution that delivers high quality voice, video and data services on one link.”

UAAP-inspired broadband sticks released

After the much talked about UAAP collection of Brazilian slipper brand Havaianas comes another set of items inspired by the country’s collegiate sports league. Broadband sticks bearing the logos of eight school teams were released by Globe Telecom over the weekend, just in time for the opening of season 75 of the University Athletic Association of the Philippines. Globe said the new products, called Tattoo U-Sticks, offer privileges to students such as free unlimited access to their school website, Google Mail and Yahoo for one year, and free access to Facebook and Twitter for 10 days. ”[Tattoo U-stick] allows them (students) the freedom in the digital space that they want and they need plus the perks and discounts so that they could live their college life to the fullest,” said Dong Ronquillo, head of Tattoo Nomadic Broadband Business. Globe said users of the UAAP-inspired sticks must key in a code to avail of the student-friendly discounts and promos. Those from the University of the Philippines, for instance, should type ”FIGHTING MAROONS,” while those from Adamson University should use ”SOARINGFALCONS.” The Tattoo U-Sticks are priced at P995 and P3,495 for the 3G and 4G variants, respectively. Globe said these will be available until October 15. Just recently, Havaianas released its limited edition UAAP flip-flops, which were done in partnership with UAAP and ABS-CBN Licensing. The eight pairs of rubber slippers come in the universities’ respective colors.

Smells like school spirit

Flash your campus colors with pride and stay connected with your campus buddies 24/7 while enjoying cool discounts and freebies with the new Tattoo U-stick from Tattoo, the No. 1 broadband in the Philippines. “College students will definitely get a kick out of the Tattoo Prepaid University stick as they are ushered in a world of freebies and discounts plus unlimited access to Facebook and Twitter, university portal and Google Mail and Yahoo!Mail. The Tattoo U-stick allows the students to live their college life without limits!” explains Dong Ronquillo, head of Tattoo Nomadic Broadband Business. The Tattoo U-stick comes in two variants: the Tattoo 3G stick at only P995 with speeds of up to 3.6 mbps and the Tattoo 4G Superstick which runs at speeds of up to 7.2 mbps at only P3,495. The Tattoo U-stick comes with a customized skin of your university so that the school spirit is proudly shown off anytime, anywhere. Aside from the exclusive discounts and freebies, the Tattoo U-Stick comes with a free 2GB micro-SD card that allows dual functionality of the Tattoo stick as both a mobile broadband stick and a USB device available until Oct. 11 only. On top of these, Tattoo U-stick also allows users free unlimited access to Facebook and Twitter for 10 days, free unlimited access to the university portal as well as to Google Mail and Yahoo! Mail for one year to keep you connected with your friends and loved ones 24/7. To avail, simply text in the keyword for your university at 8888: e without limits with the new Tattoo U-Stick! Grab your Tattoo U-sticks by visiting www.tattoo.globe.com.ph or the nearest Globe store.

Smart Welcomes iTunes Store Launch

Subscribers of Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) using their iPhone or iPad now have access to millions of songs and movies, as Apple recently announced the launch of the iTunes Store in the Philippines. According to Smart broadband and mobile marketing head Mellissa Limcaoco, Smart shares the excitement of Filipino iTunes users and looks forward to serving their connectivity needs. “With our nationwidest, high-speed mobile broadband network powering their device, iTunes lovers have access to the store wherever and whenever they please,” said Limcaoco. Using iTunes, Smart subscribers can choose from over 20 million songs, including hits by Filipino artists, among them the Eraserheads, Christian Bautista, Parokya ni Edgar, and Charice. Smart subscribers can also rent or buy movies from the iTunes Store, many of them available in high-definition (HD). All they need is a valid credit card for payment. The iTunes app is available as a free download from apple.com/asia/itunes and comes preloaded on every Apple device. The latest, most advanced Apple devices are available from Smart, bundled with data plans. The iPhone 4S – dubbed the ‘most amazing iPhone’ -- is free at Plan 2499, while the iPhone 4 is free with an Unli Data Plan 2000, and the iPhone 3GS is on a limited ‘Piso Sale’ when bundled with an All-In Plan 1200 (until July 10). The new iPad, meanwhile, works flawlessly and delivers high-speed connectivity when powered by a Smart Rocket WiFi or a Smart WiFi Plug-It broadband device. “As these amazing iPhones and iPads and increasingly relevant apps such as the iTunes Store become more and more popular in the Philippines, so will more Filipino users discover that to truly ‘live more’ and maximize the features of all these great devices and services, they must be on a strong and reliable network,” added Limcaoco. Smart has the widest HSPA+ network in the country, ensuring coverage in most places, and is the only telco in the Philippines with a dual band 4G/HSPA+ network – which gives mobile devices better signal reception, faster connection speeds, and better battery life.