MOSCOM Internet has announced that 10 of its 71 points of presence (PoPs) around the country, including a university, have upgraded to a 4.8 megabits per second (Mbps) connection. This is part of the Internet service provider's promise to deploy T3-class or 45 Mbps satellite broadband technology on its nationwide backbone. Five more PoPs are expected to upgrade sometime this month.

The newly-upgraded PoPs include Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; Legaspi City, Albay; Santa Cruz and Calamba, Laguna; Tarlac City; Tagbilaran, Bohol; Iloilo City; Angeles City, Pampanga; Cagayan de Oro City, Misamis Oriental; and De La Salle University.

Chona Garcia of MosCom Puerto Princesa said that they are delighted to be the first Internet service provider (ISP) to install a satellite dish and offer satellite-speed service to Internet users in Puerto Princesa and neighboring towns.

"Satellite broadband technology will be the key factor that will push MosCom's objective to 'grow and move in all directions' in the year 2000."

Added MosCom Calamba president Paul Ferraz. "Access speed improvement goes hand-in-hand with the company's move to provide comprehensive coverage throughout the whole Philippines, including off-center areas and municipalities."

According to MosCom chair and chief executive officer Willy Gan, the various satellite link-ups at the PoPs were completed in one day. With the deployment of the T3 satellite link, Dr. Gan said MosCom has enough bandwidth to handle broadband local loops, including digital subscriber line and cable modem access.