ABS-CBN mobile network coming soon?

**Retz** · October 22nd, 2013 05:25 PM

Kabayan network

**explorer** · October 24th, 2013 04:03 AM

Originally Posted by K.I.L.L.

It is still using Globe's crappy network. ABS is just bulk buying a portion of the bandwidth then selling portions of it as a network. I don't see how it will be an improvement. Bandwidth is finite and once you have reached capacity, then that's it. Think of it as a toll tunnel that was built for 100 cars to pass through every minute but they have allowed 150 cars to go through so it's become congested with accidents in the form of dropped calls happening often.

are you sure they will be sharing a bandwidth? looking at the news in the previous months (see below), it looks like ABS-CBN mobile network will used their own bandwidth from bayantel. NTC did not allow them to share frequencies with globe. so the two companies came up with different business model which is probably sharing infrastructures (cellcites, network equipment, etc.) which is already existing in globe. what if globe's cellsite's transmitters/transponders or whatever you call them and their network equipment can accommodate a multi frequency bands? if i'm correct with my assumption, then ABS-CBN can easily go live nationwide with very little investment compared to smart and globe and without suffering from globe's congested network.

globe was not happy when smart acquired sun cellular...they were very worried because smart became so big which now controls 70%(?) of the market. with the entry on ABS-CBN using its infrastructures, globe has now less burden in expanding for modern facilities because ABS-CBN is sharing the cost of its existing facilities and all they have to worry now is plan and acquire modern and future-proof facilities that will de-congest its own network and at the same time allow ABS-CBN to use it. for ABS-CBN, it's a very good business model with very little investment but very big opportunity to expand and grab a market share from both. i suspect that the new ABS-CBN mobile network will grab a bigger share from smart because it has the biggest share of the market at the moment.

from: NTC gives Bayantel 1-mo reprieve

NTC gives Bayantel 1-mo reprieve

By Lawrence Agcaoili (The Philippine Star) | Updated January 14, 2013 - 12:00am

MANILA, Philippines - The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) has given cash-strapped Bayan Telecommunications Inc. (Bayantel) of the Lopez family a one-month reprieve to comply with the provisions on the joint use of its frequencies with Ayala-controlled Globe Telecom Inc.

NTC Commissioner Gamaliel Cordoba said the regulator has given Bayantel until Feb. 5 to comply with the condition in the provisional approval of the joint use of its frequencies with Globe.

Cordoba said Bayantel should have secured confirmation from the rehabilitation court on the joint use of the frequencies last Jan. 6.

The NTC allowed Bayantel to co-use its frequencies 1750-1760 Megahertz or 1845-1855 MHz with Globe last September on the condition that it would secure the approval of the rehabilitation court within 60 days.

However, Bayantel legal counsel Ariel Tubayan said the rehabilitation court has yet to act on the manifestation and motion seeking the confirmation of the joint use of frequencies.

Furthermore, the hearing for motion filed by Bayantel before the rehabilitation court was postponed to Jan. 23 from Dec. 13 due to the unavailability of the presiding judge.

ayantel was seeking a two-month extension of the Jan. 6 deadline or until March 7 but the NTC only granted a one-month reprieve.

“After evaluation thereof, the Commission finds merit in your request and accordingly grants Bayantel an additional period of 30 days from Jan. 6 or until Feb. 5 within which to secure confirmation by the rehabilitation court of the joint use of frequencies,” Cordoba stated in a letter to Tubayan.

Last September, NTC allowed telecommunications providers including Bayantel and Globe to jointly use mobile phone frequencies to address the congested network resulting to a rise in the number of complaints from consumers.

NTC said it was mandated by Republic Act 7925 also known as the “Public Telecommunications Policy Act of the Philippines” to resolve the rising incidence of mobile communications complaints on blocked calls or grade of service, drop calls and signal quality.

NTC also allowed PLDT-controlled Smart Communications Inc. and sister firm Smart Broadband Inc. (SBI) to jointly use the 800Mhz, 900MHz, 1800MHz, and 2100MHz Band frequencies assigned to Smart and the 800MHz Band frequency assigned to SBI.

The regulator also allowed Smart and Digital Mobile Philippines Inc ( Digitel) to jointly use the 800Mhz, 900Mhz, 1800Mhz, 2100Mhz Band frequencies assigned to Smart and the 1800Mhz and 2100Mhz Band frequencies granted to Digitel.

NTC said the telecom providers would have to pay additional Spectrum User Fees for the joint use of the subject frequencies and should comply with the quality of service required by the government.

Last month, Globe completed a tender offer acquiring almost 100 percent of the 13.5 percent senior notes of Bayantel originally due last December 2006 as part of its efforts to acquire a significant share in the Lopez-controlled company.

Last Nov. 6, Globe announced it has commenced separate discussions with the controlling shareholders of Bayantel regarding a wide range of commercial arrangements including a potential acquisition by Globe of an equity interest in the cash-strapped company.

**explorer** · October 24th, 2013 05:53 AM

i'll answer my own question. it looks like Globe will share their 'excess capacity'

from: ABS-CBN puts up own mobile network, buys capacity from Globe

ABS-CBN puts up own mobile network, buys capacity from Globe

Posted on May 28, 2013

Broadcast giant ABS-CBN pulled off a surprise on Tuesday, May 28, when it disclosed that it is creating its own mobile network through an unusual “network-sharing” agreement with Globe Telecom.

[The announcement caught industry observers offguard as exploratory talks between ABS-CBN and Globe all pointed to a content-sharing model and not to the network-sharing scheme that was eventually agreed upon by the two firms.

Even during the press briefing at the ELJ Building in Quezon City, the media had difficulty figuring out the business model since most had anticipated a content-sharing arrangement wherein ABS-CBN content can accessed via Globe’s network.

But as it turned out, ABS-CBN is actually launching a new mobile brand with its own set of services, including voice, SMS, and mobile broadband, that runs on Globe’s telecom infrastructure.

The Lopez-owned TV station will be operating this new mobile network through a newly created subsidiary called ABS-CBN Convergence Inc.

Carlo Katigbak, president and managing director of ABS-CBN Convergence, explained: “Under this agreement, ABS-CBN purchases network capacity on a wholesale basis from Globe, thereby allowing us to offer traditional voice and SMS services. But in addition,we are also going to offer wireless broadband services that allow us to transmit exciting new programs to any mobile device.”

Katigbak, who previously headed ABS-CBN’s Internet initiatives, said the company has come to realize that the mobile Internet is going to become one of the most important platforms for delivering content to its audiences.

“Our newest website, iwantv.com.ph, allows people to watch our TV programs online when and where they want. It is now among the most viewed sites in the Philippines, and nearly half of its visitors are using mobile devices to access it. We believe that in the same way television revolutionized the mass market’s ability to receive information and entertainment, the wireless internet will be the next most important medium for our audience.”

No commercial terms were not divulged during the briefing.

Globe spokesperson Yoly Crisanto said the deal is just like an ordinary business transaction in which a tenant pays rent for the use of one’s infrastructure. In this case, ABS-CBN will pay Globe a fee for utilizing the latter’s network capacity.

The National Telecommunications Commission (NTC), the agency that regulates the telecoms and broadcasting industry, has yet to approve the terms of the partnership.

ABS-CBN executives did not disclose the brand name of its new mobile network, which is expected to be formally launched in the second half of this year. A story at ABS-CBN.com said the broadcast firm will invest between P2 billion to P3 billion over the next three years.

Under the network-sharing agreement, Globe and ABS-CBN Convergence also said they may share “assets such as servers, towers, and switches”.

As an entirely separate mobile entity, ABS-CBN’s new network will have its own SIM card that may be sold together with various gadgets in monthly plans. Globe, however, will not sell or carry the SIMs in its stores.

As for the possibility of network congestion, Crisanto said Globe’s on-going modernization program has made its mobile infrastructure extremely capable to handle the traffic that will be generated by ABS-CBN’s new network.

“Once the rollout is complete, our network will even have excess capacity,” said Globe official.

Crisanto said there is also no danger of cannibalization since the current subscriber base in the country is only 35 million. “Our population is 100 million, so there’s a lot opportunities for growth for a third telco.”

**A121** · October 24th, 2013 06:56 AM

they'll just use the same frequency and same equipment from globe. parang Talk and Text or TM which are virtual networks. smart now uses the old PILTEL frequencies and maybe sun cellular. hehe