PLDT Global to expand in N America next year

HONG KONG – A unit of dominant carrier Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) is looking at sealing mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) deals in North America next year as part of its efforts to expand its reach in countries with a large concentration of Filipinos.

Alex Caeg, president and chief executive officer of PLDT Global Corp., said the company is looking at expanding to North America particularly the US and Canada as early as next year.

“Having been in Asia Pacific for quite some time now, we want to go further into North America--simply the US or Canada. I think we are looking at next year,” Caeg stressed.

He pointed out that the PLDT Group has been in consistent talks with potential partners in the US such as AT&T, Verizon, among others.

“We have been in discussions with US partners for quite some time,” he added.

He said the company is looking for a partner that has an appetite for the ethnic minority segments, willing to enter into a sustainable partnership, and willing to provide value added services.

According to Caeg, the PLDT Group has been present in the US corporate market through PLDT US Ltd. It provides services to international retail and top enterprise businesses in the US and is now looking at entering the consumer market to serve Filipinos living and working in the US.

“What we plan to do is go to the consumer market.” Caeg explained.

PLDT Global through its International Retail Business distributes retail phone cards and subscription-based services to Filipinos in the US, Japan, Spain, Germany, and Canada.

It has operational hubs in One Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles and Glendale City in the US.

PLDT Global has appointed PLDT US Mobility to sell its wide portfolio of voice products in the US that harps on the unique offering of the best international direct dial (IDD) call services to its 72.5 million PLDT, Smart, and Sun Cellular subscribers in the Philippines.

PLDT US Mobility makes calling convenient and affordable by offering retail phone cards and subscription-based products such as PLDT Usap Card (1-day and 30-day variants), Smart Tawag Buddy, Sun Call Home, Usap Pamilya, and Smart Regalo Load with no hidden charges.

To reach the 2.5 million Filipinos in the US requires continuous expansion in terms of retail presence. 

PLDT US Mobility is currently available in select Filipino outlets through several trade partners that offer the aforementioned services. One of its major partners is Seafood City Supermarket—the premier full service supermarket chain that offers a mix of Asian and Filipino-influenced good. It has outlets located in Southern California, Northern California, Nevada and Washington ready to serve Filipinos in the area.

PLDT US Mobility and Seafood City Supermarket would have a Pasko na, Tawag na! promo this holiday season that entitles the buyer of an Usap or Tawag Buddy phone card a chance to win a free 35-minute call PIN to any Smart number in the Philippines.

Aside from the US, Caeg said PLDT Global is also looking at expanding to Europe.