Philippines - broadband

PLDT reports 579,000 broadband subscribers

PLDT Group reported P7.6 in total revenues from its broadband and Internet businesses, citing subscriber growth in both its wireless and DSL (digital subscriber line) services.

In its yearend financial report, PLDT said its broadband subscribers more than doubled last year with around 579,000 users.

SmartBro, the wireless broadband service operated by cellular subsidiary Smart Communications, tallied 302,000 subscribers, adding 180,000 new users last year. Smart now has 2,780 wireless broadband-enabled base stations, covering more than 600 cities and municipalities, according to PLDT, which ended the year with about P2.4 billion in wireless broadband revenues.

Last November, Smart launched a service called Plug-It, which provides mobile Internet coverage using Smart's cellular network.

“Our investment in this space (wireless broadband) will accelerate as we seek to solidify our leadership in the overall broadband space,” added Nazareno.

PLDT's retail DSL business, meanwhile, ended last year with around 264,000 subscribers and generated P4.1 billion in revenues.