PLDT embarks on $28.5-M wireless service platforms upgrade with Huawei

Local telecom giant PLDT and mobile arm Smart Communications yesterday unveiled a $28.5-million partnership with global information and communications technology leader Huawei to upgrade the group’s wireless service delivery platforms.

This is part of the more than P50-billion capital outlay committed by the PLDT group this year to overhaul its fixed and wireless networks infrastructure and information technology systems to substantially improve overall customer experience.

“This partnership will enable the PLDT group’s wireless services under the brands PLDT, Smart, Sun and TNT to become much more agile, efficient and resilient in developing and delivering a growing array of digital services,” PLDT chair and chief executive officer Manuel V. Pangilinan said in a statement.

“Under the 15-month agreement, Huawei will improve Smart’s online charging platforms and electronic loading for prepaid subscribers,” said Ray C. Espinosa, PLDT group chief corporate services officer.

“This involves consolidating similar applications for different brands under one system and streamlining business processes through a unified platform and simplified processes,” he said.

With this partnership with the Chinese ICT firm, PLDT, Smart, Sun and TNT are seen to henceforth offer more personalized services and rewards to their customers. PLDT’s wireless services are also seen to offer bundled services more quickly and efficiently.

“Through this partnership, our customers will have quick and ready access to the services that they value and enjoy,” said PLDT group chief business transformation officer Victorico Vargas. “This is part of our broader effort to overhaul our IT systems so that we can leapfrog our ability to deliver best-in-class wireless services.”

“By leveraging deep understanding of PLDT and our worldwide experience, Huawei proposed our industry-leading OCS (online charging system) and eLoad Solutions to accelerate PLDT’s evolution in the digital market through this transformation program. Huawei is confident we can successfully deliver this critical program in a timely way together with PLDT,” said Wilson Zang, president of Huawei Revenue Management product line.

Huawei Revenue Management software solutions, including OCS and eLoad, enable the services of more than 1.7 billion subscribers at over 190 communication service providers across 107 countries. Overall, Huawei’s ICT solutions, products and services are used in more than 170 countries and regions, serving over one third of the world’s population. —DORIS DUMLAO-ABADILLA