SubicTel expands DSL network in Subic

SUBIC Telecommunications Co., Inc. has increased its capacity to accommodate more DSL subscribers in the Subic Bay Freeport area in response to the growing demand for high-speed Internet access. From only 514 lines, the company increased its capacity by 240, bringing the total to 754. This came as SubicTel, a fully-owned subsidiary of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., quickly built up its DSL subscriber base to some 480 subscribers as of end-2004. SubicTel Head Jose Ma. B. Abola said the subscriber pick-up for DSL subscribers has been faster than expected and that the company needed to upgrade its network to accommodate demand. "Right now we have some 100 pending applications for the DSL service. We believe this is a reflection of the development occurring in Subic in terms of the impact of the Internet on people's lives and their businesses," he said, adding "SubicTel is intent on meeting the communications needs of the Freeport residents with our cutting-edge network and cost-effective products and services."