Techindustriya was invited to attend the joint press conference between Intel Philippines and PLDT to promote both Intel’s Ultrabook and PLDT’s WiFi Zone hotspots. Now most of you might be thinking, “Yeah, that makes sense; since the portability of the Ultrabooks lets you travel to anywhere in the Metro and with the WiFi Zones, I can be connected to the Internet virtually anywhere.”
Intel is reaffirming its commitment to promote its Ultrabook portable PCs. On hand are a number of Ultrabooks from the Asus ZenBook to the Acer Aspire S3 and Toshiba Portege Z830. Even Dell’s Ultrabook, the XPS 13 makes an appearance.
The Ultrabook is Intel’s push to revitalize the portable PC market by giving consumers an affordable, lightweight laptop without compromising on power and battery life.
With PLDT’s WiFi Zone, PLDT MyDSL and Landline subscribers will be able to use WiFi Zones around the Metro for unlimited access for a minimal monthly fee. You will be connected up to 1Mbps speeds outside of your home. This means that you can still be connected to all of your online social networks such as Facebook and Twitter or make Internet calls using Skype on your mobile device such as a smartphone or an Ultrabook.
During the event, we were able to test the connection from the Opus Restaurant and Bar at the New Port Mall in Resorts World. Even with the numerous tech journalists connected to the network, we were still seeing speeds of up to 1.3Mbps.
The PLDT WiFi Zone is available in over 2,500 malls and establishments around the Metro as well as in areas in Baguio and Cebu. For PLDT MyDSL subscribers, you’ll just have to add PhP150/month on top of your regular fees and PhP300/month for regular landline subscriber to essentially get up to 1Mbps when you’re out of the house.
Press Release:
MANILA, Philippines, March 8, 2012 – The country’s leading telecommunications company Philippine Long Distance Telephone Company (PLDT) and world leader in computing innovation Intel Philippines announced today that the two companies are teaming up to promote high-speed performance and connectivity with the launch of the new Intel Ultrabook and WiFi Zone* powered by PLDT. The partnership will combine Intel’s leadership in processor technology and computing innovation with PLDT’s expertise in broadband technology to deliver the no-compromise, complete and satisfying computing experience necessary for increasingly mobile lifestyles.
“Internet growth is driven largely by content, now more so by consumers who exchange photos, videos and tweets wherever they may be,” said Intel Philippines country manager Ricky Banaag. “In this day and age, there is a noticeable increase in the demand for internet access anytime, anywhere. People are now able to access the internet simultaneously across multiple devices, empowering them not just to download data, but to upload and share content as well. Intel’s partnership with PLDT addresses a new era of computing experience that is underway, and ensures that the consumer’s expectations for a secure, mobile and powerful device are met through the Ultrabook.”
The Ultrabook is an emerging new breed of computers that will increasingly combine best-in-class performance, improved responsiveness and battery life, and built-in security in thin, elegant, must-have mobile designs. Intel’s vision for the Ultrabook entails a multi-year, industry-wide endeavor that will roll out in phases where new experiences and features will be added and volume of Ultrabook devices is expected to increase as system prices decrease over time.
With ‘A New Breed of Wow’ campaign, Intel aims to set the Ultrabook apart from mainstream computing devices. Built on a foundation of broad consumer appeal and ecosystem support, the Ultrabook has already gained strong momentum with a total of more than 75 ultra sleek, ultra responsive and secure systems since its conception, giving it the ‘Wow’ factor people look for in a laptop.
PLDT Retail Business Group Head, Dan Ibarra, shares “With PLDT WiFi Zone*, PLDT subscribers can experience the strong connections they have at home, and they never have to miss out on their broadband experience – premium, fast and unlimited.”
As more digital information travels faster and farther, spanning more people, more devices and more locations, there is a pressing need for reliable, high-speed connectivity. PLDT offers nothing less with its premium WiFi service, PLDT WiFi Zones*, which uses a dedicated line for fast WiFi internet connection. Through the WiFi Zones*, PLDT offers subscribers the same reliable premium myDSL internet experience outside their homes.
With an established base of over 2,500 WiFi Zones up and running all over the Metro, and recent PLDT WiFi Zone* launches in Cebu and Baguio, PLDT’s broadband technology ensures that PLDT subscribers will never have to miss out on their broadband experience outside the comfort of their homes.
Unlimited use of WiFi Zones* will be available all year-round for PLDT myDSL subscribers at a low monthly rate of P150 and P300 for PLDT landline subscribers on top of the monthly service fee. For more information and updates on WiFi Zone* powered by PLDT, log on to www.pldtwifizone.com.
With social media usage and content consumption quickly becoming an indispensible part of people’s daily lives, the collaboration between Intel and PLDT will expand opportunity for continued innovation in these areas, as they work towards increased computing performance and seamless wireless connections.
* Other names and brands may be claimed as the property of others.
