PLDT wants quick move to new HQ

Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. (PLDT) wants to set in motion this year its new headquarters as it transforms its business to keep pace with the digital age.

The telco giant through its wireless unit Smart Communications Inc. would also begin using this year the 700 Megahertz (MHz) frequency it got from the joint acquisition with Globe Telecom Inc., the telecommunications operations of San Miguel Corp. (SMC), as part of its commitment to provide faster and more reliable internet services in the country.

PLDT chairman and chief executive officer Manuel V. Pangilinan told reporters in a chance interview, that PLDT is still studying its options but would want to firm up the plan to move to a new headquarters and start implementing it within the year.

“I hope this year (we can start). We’re looking at options. We just have to get on with the decision where. I think in principle, it’s been decided. It’s just a question of operationalizing that decision,” he said.

PLDT’s board has approved a plan to build a campus-like headquarters south of Metro Manila which is seen suitable for the company as it seeks to focus more on digital services and move away from traditional businesses of voice calls and texts as consumers increase use of internet-based services.

“I am getting a little impatient because we have to decide. Everyday that’s gone is time wasted quite frankly. We really have to get on to a single place, communicate, coordinate better, collaborate better, because this new digital age is really an open kind of environment,” Pangilinan said.

PLDT and Smart currently hold office in different buildings in Makati, while digital innovations arm Voyager Innovations Inc.’s office is in Ortigas.

PLDT also wants to redevelop its current head office in the Ramon Cojuangco Building along Makati Avenue, and the Makati General Office in Legazpi Village, covering a combined area of 8,000 square meters.

As for the Smart Tower, Pangilinan said PLDT may either redevelop or sell it while it builds the new headquarters.

“I think that our position is we are not real estate developers. We will have to partner with some real estate company to redevelop the site. We’re prepared to contribute the land as our equity and get paid in terms of finished floor space,” Pangilinan said.

To improve its internet service, PLDT through Smart wants to begin using the 700 MHz frequency this year, in line with its accelerated deployment of its LTE ( Long Term Evolution) service.

The use of the 700 MHz frequency would significantly improve internet services in the country as the spectrum can penetrate buildings and walls, providing better indoor coverage compared to other high band frequencies.