IT investors in Asia visit Pampanga

CITY OF SAN FERNANDO - Some 120 foreign investors from various countries in Asia will visit Pampanga today (Saturday) to determine the viability of the Internet connectivity investment even in the remote places that cannot be reached by existing telecommunication companies.

Dr. Joey Aranal, IPSTAR Solutions Philippines Corporation president and chief executive officer, said the foreign visitors are potential investors.

“Tayo ang nag invite sa kanila. Isang grupo ito ng mga investors na mula pa sa ibat-ibang bansa. Mayroong galing sa Taiwan, Hong Kong, Thailand, China and Malaysia among other countries in Asia,” he said.

Aranal said the foreign investors will be toured inside the Clark Freeport and in Barangay Planas, Porac town to witness the launching of IP Star’s pilot project involving the provision of Internet connectivity to the members of the indigenous community.

“We heard that the nearest Internet cafe in Barangay Planas is almost 10 kilometers away that’s why we decided to test our project here,” he said.

IP Star is offering services to the rural countryside that deploys a business model, such as the basic Internet cafe also known as e-kiosk that is expandable to propagate Wi-Fi hot spots in various remote municipalities, from 200 meters radius to as much as 5 kilometers radius.

This will aid money remittance services, provide link for ATM services, and provide any type of data, video and voice services for both domestic and international routes.

Gaming and entertainment can also be brought to the countryside where it was once thought to be impossible.

Aranal opined that with the immersion of Internet access to less favored communities, progress will soon move to these remote locations.

IPSTAR’s capabilities have already been proven during the last 2010 national elections, where IPSTAR terminals supported at least 680 municipalities nationwide.