I’ve never paid much attention to the going-ons of the big telcos in our country, never noticed, for example, that astounding advances has already been made right under my nose while I was absorbed with computer hardware and consumer electronics.

                                              The old Globe Telecom logo

I would rate that as a plus in their favor – for except for a few rumblings through the internet grapevine, I have heard naught of problems, be it technical or regarding service. Of course, you’ll definitely see those issues if you dig down even a little bit, but that’s another story.

I’ve always assumed that the most basic of services will work – and by and large, they have. Texting and calling through the years, “me” as a consumer didn’t realize that bit by bit, the number of services that were available to me was increasing, and each new advance signified another piece of proof against the label of I being a “third-world-country” inhabitant. A memorable point is the advance from the most basic “voice-only” service to 3.5G data-text-voice availability, with subsequent additions to services that enhanced the user experience for cell phones / portable devices. These services include internet capability, all the convenience that connectivity brings with it, and of course entertainment – Globe’s latest TV service being one example.

                                               New Globe logo

Globe also offers broadband on top of their regular cell phone services, yet over the years I have encountered only a limited number of references regarding advances from that direction. All that changed recently – upon Globe’s announcement of a comprehensive packaging and pricing plan for its broadband customers – both current and potential.  Globe chose to introduce a new logo for their broadband arm at the same time – which is significant evidence of the importance that Globe attaches to their announcement.

The new globe logo seems a bit cluttered, having a hand icon at the center, with other icons standing for the different activities available surrounding it,  but with some thought it is only appropriate that it be so, since it aspires to denote the “within-reach” message of all of its services for broadband. Like its cell phone services, Globe is aiming to present an “all-in-one” message wherein that one simple ingredient – “connectivity” – for both cell phone and broadband, will enable a whole host of activities and conveniences for the user/subscriber.

                                              Globe well known for mobile services

Focus did not rest on the logo; more emphasis was given to the fact that Globe intends to make broadband access available to as many subscribers as possible. Price reductions, flexible packaging of speeds, phone service and the corresponding price, will facilitate Globe’s bold declaration of “Internet for all Filipinos”. Approached cynically, such a declaration is simply another marketing campaign, yet such a far-reaching goal will naturally have many steps to it, and these steps are being worked on, even as the broadband service packages were announced.

Factors such as service quality, choice and through it affordability, and most importantly, what we call the “hardware barrier” - all of these had potential solutions that were being explored by Globe and its partners, notably Microsoft, Intel, and local distributors like Asiantech. The first three factors are self explanatory, but what’s the hardware barrier referring to? Simply stated, it’s the lack of computers for the common man. Without a computer, internet access is available only through rent, which is simply not a solution for the uses that Globe envisions for its broadband service.

                                             A typical computer with its peripherals

Hardwarezone has long been a champion of the “newer” and “better” in technology, so it is sad to discover that a majority of Filipinos does not own even a basic computer system for internet use. Globe aims to overcome this hurdle with the afore mentioned partners, as well as BPI and other financial institutions.

My interest (make that obsession) on the latest hardware seems to be a bit petty after seeing the effect certain announcements can have on the general tech landscape of our fair country. Globe broadband intends to be in the forefront of the Philippine’s advance to becoming a globally “connected” country, and the first step has been taken, with future hurdles being studied to find for them any potential solutions. I’m putting aside my tech-toys (some of them at least – I’m still an editor at Hardwarezone) and giving a lot more attention to this process than ever before – it’s not always that one witnesses the start of a revolution in connectivity.