FOR Cebu to continually attract investors, telecommunications companies are urged to provide a “very robust communication structure” that will support business operations.

GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) Association senior director for services Jaikishan Rajaraman pointed out that telecommunications networks contribute to the progress of a city or industry.

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“Cebu must make sure that business owners are able to connect from (the province) to their offices or clients in different parts of the world and are able to access information quickly,” he said.

One big issue among call centers, he observed, is the capacity of telecoms to provide them speedy access to both voice and data services.

“It is a virtual cycle. A place with a robust communication structure attracts investors to locate in that place, investors put up businesses and generate jobs, and the local people are assured of job opportunities and better living,” said Rajaraman.

Earlier, Business Processing Association of the Philippines chief executive officer Oscar Sañez said an added boost to the business process outsourcing industry in the country is the strong telecommunication infrastructure as the private sector invests in broadband connectivity and optic fibers for national and international connectivity.

He pointed out the need, however, to urge telecoms to upgrade and expand their networks.

Rajaraman also agreed that the development and progress of an area results in more people adopting the mobile broadband.

GSM Association, the global industry representing the interests of nearly 800 mobile operators worldwide, is targeting to have around one billion mobile broadband subscribers by 2012.