PLDT targets one million DSL users by 2010

The Philippines’ largest telecoms group by subscribers and revenues Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co (PLDT) is looking to treble its existing DSL user base by 2010, despite an impending economic slowdown in the country that threatens to weaken demand. The telco’s assistant vice-president and head for DSL services, Gary G Dujali, is quoted as saying that rising awareness of broadband, coupled with lower PC prices is expected to fuel a surge in DSL usage. The operator currently has more than 300,000 subscribers to its myDSL branded services and a further 400,000 SmartBro and WeRoam wireless broadband users. Although PLDT already controls more than half the domestic broadband market, Dujali is confident the firm can expand its base quickly in the coming twelve months and has targeted the city of Cebu as a key area for expansion.