THIN glass wires-otherwise known as optical fibers-are touted to form the whole backbone of the country's communications networks in the future. Some of the benefits may include data zooming in and out at amazing speeds, cheaper upgrading of networks and lower bandwidth costs.

During its launch of the Cebu Domestic Fiber Optic Network Center (DFON), Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co. introduced fiber optic technology as the future of its network. It explained how fiber optics is better than the aging traditional copper cables and how it is free from interference. Other advantages range from lower incidence of lost traffic, higher circuit capacity, and its being compact and lightweight.

Claiming to be the first telecom network in the Philippines to use fiber optics in delivering nationwide voice, data, video, other broadband and multimedia service, PLDT's fiber optic cable allows transmission through 13 glass fibers using a beam of light. Larry Pelayo, PLDT center head for the DFON, said PLDT has 12 fiber cables in the system. He explained that a fiber, which uses one pair, can carry about 30,420 voice circuits.

"That is 50 times more than the capacity of our old microwave network," he said. Pelayo added that this capacity can be further upgraded, and even doubled or tripled as PLDT is set to activate a second and third pair soon. The project is expected to be completed early next year.

Pelayo explained that the DFON's network is reconfigured with six loops, in a ring, with a tail-end connecting Subic and Manila. The network is reconfigured all over the country from Luzon to Mindanao.

"The loop configuration means that any break in the loop will not cost any outage. There will be no self-service interruptions because of the switching network. The DFON is used as a transport facility also for long distance voice requirements of data transmission for the Internet, fax, domestic lease lines, the latest ATM frame relay and also for full motion video transmission. It is also the common transport facility for Smart, Piltel and other PLDT subsidiaries," he said.

An application that uses DFON right now is PLDT's Broad Robust ATM IP Networking System otherwise known as Brains. DFON is described by PLDT as its main transmission highway-the main pipeline from north to south.

The DFON technology provider is Siemens while Cisco has set up the ATM and IP switch. Installed nationwide, those switches are interlinked via DFON. Brains will provide networking solutions to agencies like the Land Transportation Office, Armed Forces of the Philippines, Robinson's and Security Bank.

Meanwhile, during the fiber optic network launch in Cebu, PLDT company Smart Communications inaugurated its GSM mobile switches. These are computers that act as "the heart of the cellular network." The mobile switch installed is a Nokia DX200 which has the capacity to serve about 350,000 subscribers in Cebu and the Visayas region. A similar model is set to be installed in Davao to serve Smart's subscribers in Mindanao.

Mobile switches process, manage and lend directions to Smart's Cellular calls-directing these calls to the right party. These switches are also being credited for the introduction of mobile banking, wireless Internet, e-commerce, info-on-demand, stock trading or package tracking and more.

"Linking to other computer systems such as those which handle mobile banking, text messaging and Internet access becomes possible because of this. This switch in Cebu will serve our customers in the Visayas. A similar system is being installed in Mindanao to handle customers in Davao," explained Joey Limjap, PLDT's product manager for business solutions. He said that GPRS (general packet radio system) will allow sending and receiving data packets over the cellular network.

"This will allow pictures and graphics to be transmitted over the air. GPRS handsets will become available. Smart will then launch and offer GPRS connections with a facility to gain access and be logged on all the time on an affordable basis. Because unlike today when you have to dial up, you will not be charged on the time basis, you will only be charged when you send and receive data," he explained.