PLDT Home is bringing another innovation to its subscribers. The country’s leader in broadband service on November 28 launched a new hybrid modem that could automatically switch connection from fiber to LTE in case of downtime. This ensures uninterrupted service to subscribers 24/7.
“We call this ‘Always On.’ In the event of a service interruption, you don’t need to worry about losing access to the internet. Even with a severed cable, you will stay connected and pursue your online activities with minimal interruption,” said Jeremiah de la Cruz, Senior Vice President and Head of Home Business Group at PLDT.
Using the hybrid modem could also spare subscribers from the usually tedious process of reporting service interruption and scheduling maintenance. “When the Always On modem detects a downtime, it seamlessly switches to LTE and the system automatically files a service repair ticket so that customers no longer have to report loss of service,” said Viboy Añonuevo, Vice Preident and Head of Home Fixed Broadband at PLDT. He added that an SMS notification would be sent to the subscriber as notification for the scheduled maintenance visit (if necessary), in case of serious fiber connection interruption.
During a quick talk with Tech and Lifestyle Journal, de la Cruz revealed that the Always On modem, which is the first 2-in-1 hybrid device not just in the country but also in the world, took more than 5 years to be developed. He also disclosed that PLDT Home worked with three different device manufacturers to design and make the modems, which can now be deployed to PLDT Home subscribers nationwide.
“We wanted to create a product that was responsive to the needs of our customers. We believe that this (Always On) will help elevate the internet standard in the country,” he added.
The PLDT Home Fiber Always On device can render speed of up to 1 Gbps. At the same time, it is equipped with unlimited LTE that serves as its backup, anywhere, anytime.
The innovative service is initially available to existing PLDT Home postpaid subscribers as an add-on service with a monthly charge of only ₱299. Plans to automatically include it into new subscription packages were also disclosed. The service provider is yet to announce prescribed lock-in period for using the modem.
After the launch of its Gigabit Fiber plans that offer up to 10Gbps of speed, PLDT Home is now improving its customer service and network reliability that will lead to customer loyalty. The service provider aims to improve customer retention rate, which was already better than local industry average in 2023.
PLDT’s John Henri Yañez, FVP and Head of Home Product and Portfolio Management; Jeremiah de la Cruz, SVP and Head of Consumer Business – Home; and Roy Victor Añonuevo, VP and Head of Home Broadband Product Management
PLDT Inc. operates the country’s most extensive and robust fiber infrastructure, which currently spans over 1.1 million cable kilometers, consisting of over 0.2 million cable kilometers of international fiber and about 0.9 million cable kilometers of domestic fiber as of December 2023. PLDT’s fiber infrastructure supports Smart’s mobile network nationwide, enabling a fast and reliable internet experience for all on both fixed and mobile.