PLDT unit invests $5 M in US firm

MANILA, Philippines – PLDT capital, the investment arm of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT), has invested $5 million in US-based MATRIXX Software to be able to utilize the company’s digital commerce platform for its mobile business.

Through the investment, PLDT’s wireless arm Smart Communications Inc. would be using MATRIXX Software’s real-time digital commerce platform to deliver an array of lifestyle services and content that can be individually purchased and customized.

Use of the platform would enable Smart subscribers to manage their mobile account usage and spend, tailor services and choose ‘sachet-size’ packages based on their preferences and budgets.

PLDT chose MATRIXX citing the need for a real-time, customer-centric platform that could immediately be deployed.

“Evolution of the telco into a digital service provider requires viewing the customer through a different lens, in order to identify new ways of serving them. We’re transforming the customer experience, and we chose MATRIXX Software because its technology and performance is unmatched, and they are able to help drive the PLDT Group’s digital vision more rapidly than anyone else,” Winston Damarillo, PLDT chief strategy advisor and PLDT Capital co-managing director said.

Dave Labuda, founder, chief executive officer and chief technology officer at MATRIXX Software said PLDT joins other companies that have opted to be both investors and customers in the firm.

“It is genuinely changing the game in Asia when it comes to digital service innovation, and we’re excited to help deliver outstanding experiences to customers of its wireless service provider, Smart Communications,” he said.

PLDT Capital was formed last year to grow the group’s digital services and to link to leading companies in Silicon Valley and around the world.