MANILA, Philippines — To improve wireless service delivery platforms, PLDT and its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. have forged a $28.5-million (P1.4-billion) partnership with China-based global information and communications technology leader Huawei.
The project is part of the PLDT Group’s capital expenditure program for improvements in the fixed and wireless networks infrastructure and information technology (IT) systems, which is expected to reach over P50 billion this year.
“This partnership will enable 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 chairman and chief executive officer Manuel V. Pangilinan said in a statement yesterday.
The 15-month agreement would involve Huawei undertaking improvements in Smart’s online charging platforms and electronic loading for prepaid subscribers.
“This involves consolidating similar applications for different brands under one system and streamlining business processes through a unified platform and simplified processes,” PLDT Group chief corporate services officer Ray Espinosa said.
Through the project with Huawei, it would be easier for PLDT, Smart, Sun and TNT to offer more personalized offers and rewards for their customers.
The group would also be able 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,” Victorico Vargas, PLDT Group chief business transformation officer said.
“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,” he added.
For his part, Wilson Zang, president of Huawei revenue management product line, said the company has proposed software solutions including OCS and eLoad to accelerate PLDT’s evolution in the digital market.
Huawei’s OCS and eLoad solutions enable the services of more than 1.7 billion subscribers of over 190 communications service providers across 107 countries.
“Huawei is confident we can successfully deliver this critical program in a timely way together with PLDT,” Zang said.