Mindanao subscribers first to feel upgraded Globe Telecom

Mindanao subscribers of Globe Telecom Inc. will be the first to feel the “dramatic improvements in network performance" that will be rolled out over the next two to three years, company officials said Wednesday morning. “The network modernization program will immediately start rollout by December 2011 and will initially benefit subscribers in Davao, a key market and focus area for Globe," the telecom firm said. Globe Telecom president Ernest Cu said they will try out the upgrades first out there to make sure it all works well. He noted that the current systems, which will be replaced in 24 to 36 months, were built mainly to handle sms traffic. Cu also explained that the network upgrade will replace 90 percent of support systems and make Globe “ready for the traffic of the future." The country’s current second largest telecom firm unveiled its $700 million network modernization program designed to “provide the capabilities to accommodate higher volumes of voice, SMS, and data traffic resulting from a growing subscriber base and shifting user preferences." Upgrade partners For the new network systems, Globe chose Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd., a leading provider of global information and communications technology solutions deployed in over 140 countries. “Globe Telecom expects to realize additional synergies with Huawei in establishing a Joint Innovation Center (JIC) that would bring the latest technological developments and help address the Company’s customization needs," the company said in its presentation, which was also disclosed to the Philippine Stock Exchange. “Through the JIC, Globe will be able to learn network best practices and tap into the latest developments of the 17 research and development centers that Huawei has around the world," the telecom firm also said while revealing that it expects to “sign the definitive agreements with Huawei in the coming days." Huawei is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shenzhen Huawei Investment & Holding Co., Ltd. which is headquartered in Shenzhen, China. For the IT systems “transformation", Globe said it chose Amdocs, based in Missouri in the United States, as technology partner and expects to complete the definitive agreement with Amdocs by the first quarter of 2012. “Amdocs has delivered some of the industry’s most complex transformation projects to some of the largest players in the world, and we are excited to be able to draw on this experience for Globe," the telecom provider quoted Eli Gelman, Amdocs’ chief executive officer. Globe Telecom added that among the results envisioned is “faster response time to customer queries and service requests by Globe Stores and call centers." On its website, Amdocs said its “current experience systems… provide service providers with the functionality and flexibility to facilitate innovation and enable cost-effective execution." — ELR, GMA News