PLDT and Smart have inaugurated the PLDT-Smart Integrated Operations Center (IOC) in Makati City, a two-story cutting-edge facility which houses the Group's converged network teams. Gracing the ceremonies were (from L-R) PLDT Chief Customer Advisor Noel Lorenzana, DICT Executive Assistant Manuel Villa, Jr., NTC Special Assistant to the Commissioner Edgardo Cabarios, DICT Undersecretary Angelo Nuestro, DICT Assistant Secretary Wilroy Ticzon, DICT Director Paul Tuason, Smart Next-Generation Technology Solutions Advisor Joachim Horn, PLDT Network Head Eric S. Santiago, PLDT Senior Vice President Mario G. Tamayo, and PLDT Head of Network Build and Implementation Debbie M. Hu.
The Philippines' leading integrated telco network PLDT Inc. (PLDT) and its wireless subsidiary Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart) have inaugurated the PLDT-Smart Integrated Operations Center (IOC) in Makati City, a two-story cutting-edge facility which houses the Group's network teams.
Equipped with top-tier network monitoring and multimedia conferencing facilities, among others, the IOC is seen to enhance PLDT and Smart's capability to deliver leveled-up services.
"This cutting-edge facility is the latest testament to the commitment of the PLDT Group to be at the forefront of innovation in the country," said PLDT Senior Vice President Mario G. Tamayo, delivering a message on behalf of PLDT Chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan.
"With our investment in the PLDT-Smart IOC, which will oversee the operations and monitor the performance of the country's most extensive fiber infrastructure of PLDT and the wireless facilities of Smart, we are ensuring not only the topnotch experience of our customers on our network and with our services--we are also contributing greatly to helping the government realize its ambition to improve the country's digital infrastructure, making available the best of our technologies to put the Philippines at par with the rest of Asia and the world," Tamayo added.
PLDT and Smart Head of Network Build and Implementation Debbie M. Hu, delivering a message on behalf of PLDT and Smart President and CEO Alfredo S. Panlilio, said: "We at PLDT have always talked about putting our customers first, as our North Star for all group-wide efforts. This Integrated Operations Center is just another concrete proof of that commitment, having built this facility with the goal of elevating customer experience."
Also gracing the event were National Telecommunications Commission (NTC) Special Assistant to the Commissioner Edgardo Cabarios, representatives from the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) Undersecretary for Connectivity Angelo G. Nuestro, Assistant Secretary for Infostructure Wilroy Ticzon, DICT Director Paul Tuason, and DICT Executive Assistant Manuel Villa Jr., PLDT Chief Customer Advisor Noel C. Lorenzana, PLDT Network Head Eric S. Santiago and Smart Next-Generation Technology Solutions Advisor Joachim Horn.
At the heart of the 24/7 IOC is a 30-meter-wide video wall displaying various network dashboards, which enables PLDT and Smart's network teams to immediately identify areas affected by service outages, and proactively reach out to impacted customers, especially in the event of disasters and calamities.
The IOC also features leisure and sports facilities, a fully stocked clinic, collaborative spaces, as well as sleeping quarters, to foster work-life balance for PLDT and Smart's network personnel and bolster the Group's capability to keep operations running even in the event of lockdowns.
"This IOC also reinforces PLDT’s core value of 'malasakit' not just to our customers, but to our employees as well. We must ensure the well-being of our people, aligned with our transformation goal of elevating the PLDT Group’s profile as one of the best workplaces in the Philippines," Panlilio's message also said.
PLDT and Smart's investment in the IOC is aligned with the Group's commitment to be at the forefront of innovation in the country. Recently, PLDT also unveiled the country's biggest data center, Vitro Sta Rosa, and inaugurated the Jupiter Cable System, which is the fastest cable system between the Philippines and the US and Japan. Both facilities help strengthen the country's position as the next hyperscaler hub in the Asia-Pacific region.
With the PLDT-Smart IOC monitoring the operations and performance of PLDT's extensive fiber infrastructure and Smart's wireless facilities across the country, the PLDT Group aims to contribute greatly to helping the government realize its ambition to level-up the country's digital infrastructure, putting the Philippines at par with the rest of Asia and the world.
The establishment of the IOC is part of the PLDT Group's continuous investments in its network, having spent ₱518.5 billion for the last 10 years up to 2021. Network-related initiatives made up the bulk of the ₱89 billion spend for 2021. Capex guidance for 2022 is ₱85 billion.
