UP economist doubts new gov't broadband project

The Aquino administration's efforts to revive the aborted National Broadband Network (NBN) project has received failing marks from a University of the Philippines economics professor. Dr. Raul Fabella, one of 2 UP economics experts who conducted a study of the anomalous NBN-ZTE deal entered into by Arroyo administration, said government agencies are better off getting Internet services from the private sector. "Government agencies should be able to choose their providers. Paano na lang kung pangit ang service ng gobyerno? Eh di patay na. Monopoly eh," he said. In a 36-page proposal submitted to Malacañang, the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) claimed that the government would save on Internet costs if it had its own broadband network. The DOST placed the set-up cost at P800 million. Fabella, however, believes that this is on the low side and does not include expenses for labor, maintenance, and system upgrade. He also doubts that a broadband network operated by government would be competitive and have the cutting-edge technology provided by private telcos. "Ang kinatatakutan ko dito, we spend P800 million for set-up cost and then you eventually simply turn your back because it's not workable anymore," Fabella said. He said this happened to the government's "Telepono sa Barangay" project that sought to provide landline phone services in every barangay across the country. The project was overtaken by the rise of cellphone technology because of bureacratic delays. Engineer Jun Lozada, a consultant-turned-whistleblower in the anomalous NBN-ZTE deal, said a government broadband network would fill a need in information dissemination. However, Lozada warned against possible opportunities for corruption, as cited his NBN-ZTE deal experience. "Alam mo, para sa pangalan ng mahihirap, andami nang yumaman," he told radio dzMM. In separate statements, Malacanang and DOST Secretary Mario Montejo confirmed proposals to revive the NBN project. They added, however, that there is no final decision yet on the issue.

Ericsson Response partners with SingTel Group for disaster communications

First operator partnership for Ericsson Response · SingTel to provide satellite services for emergency communication · SingTel's regional associates - Airtel, AIS, Globe, Telkomsel and Warid - to provide local resources to assist in disaster relief efforts Ericsson (NASDAQ: ERIC) and Singapore Telecommunications Limited (SingTel) today announced a partnership to provide emergency communications services to support disaster relief efforts in South and Southeast Asia through Ericsson Response. This is a world's first operator partnership for Ericsson Response. The primary role of Ericsson Response, a volunteer initiative, is to establish essential mobile communications to support humanitarian agencies and other partners in carrying out their humanitarian and natural disaster relief work. Ericsson Response works in collaboration with several organizations such as the United Nations (UN) to meet their communication needs. Under this partnership, SingTel will provide satellite services from countries where its regional mobile associates operate. In addition, the SingTel Group's associates, Advanced Info Service (Thailand), Bharti Airtel (India), Globe Telecom (Philippines), Telkomsel (Indonesia) and Warid (Pakistan) will provide local resources to assist Ericsson Response's relief efforts. This will allow for faster deployment of emergency communications services in the event of disaster. This partnership supports the SingTel Group's corporate social responsibility (CSR) regional disaster relief efforts, which include financial assistance, community rebuilding support and communication support for relief workers, in countries the Group operates in. For communication support, Ericsson Response was chosen as the best partner for implementation. Hui Weng Cheong, SingTel CEO International says: "In collaboration with our regional mobile associates and Ericsson, we hope this partnership will help mitigate the effects of disasters in the region and make a difference to the communities in which the SingTel Group operates." "We have chosen to partner with Ericsson Response because of its expertise in disaster relief, and its existing relationships with the UN, the IFRC and NGOs in the region. This partnership is a demonstration of the SingTel Group's commitment to provide readily available resources for disaster relief," he adds. Rima Qureshi, Senior Vice President of Ericsson Group and Head of Ericsson Response, says: "The SingTel Group is one of Ericsson's most important global customers and we are honored to be their partner for their corporate social responsibility undertaking in South and Southeast Asia. We welcome this opportunity, together with the SingTel Group, to support humanitarian operations and the citizens of the region with standby disaster communication services, should the need arise. "Since Ericsson Response was founded in April 2000, hundreds of Ericsson employees worldwide have volunteered, trained and deployed in 40 disaster relief operations in 30 countries. We are ready to use our experience and skill in disaster relief situations wherever and whenever needed." she says. In Southeast Asia, Ericsson Response has already supported projects in Vietnam, Indonesia and Pakistan. The team was called on following the Asian Tsunami of 2004. Other countries where the initiative has been deployed include Haiti, Tanzania, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Iran, Panama, Sudan, the US, Turkey, Kosovo and Lebanon.

Vonage Expands Extensions(TM), Allowing Customers to Add a Second Extension for $9.99 per Month

Vonage Holdings Corp. VG -9.12% today expanded Vonage Extensions(TM), giving customers the ability to add a second extension to their existing home plan for $9.99 per month (plus tax). Both the free extension and the new second extension allow Vonage customers to make international calls using Vonage's signature unlimited(1) international calling plans* from up to two additional phones, including mobiles, creating a virtual family plan. "The launch of Extensions gave customers flexibility and savings when making international calls. The availability of a second extension means these benefits are now available to another family member, providing even greater value to our customers," said Michael Tempora, Senior Vice President of Product Management at Vonage. Existing customers can register for their free and paid Extensions by logging into their online accounts at www.vonage.com . For more information visit www.vonage.com . About Vonage Vonage VG -9.12% is a leading provider of low-cost communications services connecting individuals through broadband devices worldwide. Our technology serves approximately 2.4 million subscribers. We provide feature-rich, affordable communication solutions that offer flexibility, portability and ease-of-use. Our Vonage World plan offers unlimited calling to more than 60 countries with popular features like call waiting, call forwarding and voicemail -- for one low monthly rate. Vonage's service is sold on the web and through regional and national retailers including Wal-Mart Stores Inc., Best Buy, Kmart and Sears, and is available to customers in the U.S. ( www.vonage.com ), Canada ( www.vonage.ca ) and the United Kingdom ( www.vonage.co.uk ). Vonage Holdings Corp. is headquartered in Holmdel, New Jersey. Vonage® is a registered trademark of Vonage Marketing Inc., a subsidiary of Vonage Holdings Corp. To follow Vonage on Twitter, please visit www.twitter.com/vonage . To become a fan on Facebook, go to www.facebook.com/vonage . To subscribe on YouTube, visit www.youtube.com/vonage . (1) Unlimited calling is available to 60+ or 80+ countries, depending upon plan, and is subject to our Reasonable Use Policy and Terms of Service. All residential plans are based on normal residential, personal use by single-family household members. See Vonage.com for details. * The $9.99/mo extension is not available with World Premium Unlimited plans. Vonage Philippines Unlimited Plan customers will be charged Vonage World rates (including $.09/min to the Philippines).