STRAIGHT FROM THE BIG CITY

By Ike Señeres
A new force in telecoms

MANILA -- The convergence of information and communications technologies is really still in the infant stages in the Philippines and much more have to be done to make it happen. Singapore still appears to be the leader in this global trend, after it successfully merged its information and communications authorities into one, now known as the Infocomm Development Authority (IDA).

Here in the Philippines, we attempted to merge our information and communications technologies into one by forming the Commission on Information and Communications Technologies (CICT) but politics seemed to have prompted the National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) to leave the merger, leaving only the National Computer Center (NCC) as the surviving information component in the aborted merger.

I remember that during my stint at the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), we successfully merged the Code, Radio & Telephone (CORATEL) and the Management Information Systems (MIS) units into one, thus making the DFA a pioneer of sorts in the convergence trend. I also remember that we tried to bring in the Diplomatic Pouch unit into the merger, but politics apparently prevented it.

In the national scale, I remember that the Philippine Postal Corporation (PHILPOST) was also supposed to be part of CICT, but the government backtracked on that too. Up to now, I still believe that the mail system in every country should be part of the convergence trend even if politics would tend to prevent it from happening.

On a smaller scale, I know of some software companies here that have already successfully merged Shot Messaging Systems (SMS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) into one seamless application, thus making it a potent 3-in-1 package.

Also back in my DFA days, I remember that we successfully created the APEC Communications and Database System (ACDS), a system that was hailed by the APEC ministers as an early example of convergence. Looking back, the system was based on the goal of merging the telecom component (communications) and the information component (databases).

Some physiologists argue that alcohol is completely incompatible with the metabolism of Native American Indians, thus presenting us with the apparent reality that in some cases, culture and technology could not mix well. Perhaps in jest, we could say on the other hand that SMS and its companion technology Multimedia Messaging Systems (MMS) is made to order for the Philippine culture, since we reportedly send more SMS and MMS messages daily than any other country in the world.

Ownership of mobile phones and personal computers is different from access to these devices. In the case of personal computers, very few people own their units, but the have access through internet cafes and office networks. In the case of mobile phones however, most people own at least one device, thus giving them multiple access to mobile services.

Using our common sense, it would be logical to think that if we want to give more access to the digital world to more people, we should aim for the convergence of computers and mobiles. I say that there should be convergence, because these two devices are really supposed to complement each other and not compete with each other.

I also remember that during my days as the Director General of the NCC, I wanted to bring the country to an ubiquitous state where anyone could communicate with each other from anywhere, using any device. Sad to say, some countries have already achieved this state, while we are still having trouble in merging our technical authorities.

Believing that big things could have small beginnings, I started Teleforce Enterprises, a small business that will be providing information and communications services to individual and corporate customers. In starting Teleforce, I am hoping that I could bring together my experiences in the past, for the benefit of customers who are looking for affordable solutions.
Right now, Teleforce is ready to provide database services to customers who would like to enhance these databases with SMS, MMS, GPS and GIS features. Even if done only on a smaller scale within corporate settings, it is already possible to have an ubiquitous state, where customers will be able to transact with vendors anytime, using any device from anywhere.

While the tax on text is being debated by the Congress, Teleforce is looking for ways that will enable large groups of customers to buy cell phone loads at lower retail prices. The OFW Family Club is one example. They have more than 700,000 members now who are buying their loads at retail prices. Aside from loads, their members are also buying other goods and services on a retail basis, thus making them a prime target for bulk suppliers of goods on negotiated terms, using electronic commerce.

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